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ELEMENTS 



a>aiiB3Bif©ai©(ft^ 



GEORGE fcoMBE, 

LATE PRESIDENT OF THE PHRPNOLOGirAL SOCIETY 



First American Edition, -with J\'otes ,■ 
Edinburgh, 



• 



1XPROTED A^D ENLARGED, 



WITH TWO ENGRAVINGS. 



PHILADELPHIA: 

E. LITTELL, 88 CHESTNUT STREE1 

Clark & Rater, Printers, 33 Carter's Alley. 

1826. 



ADVERTISEMENT 



AMERICAN EDITOR, 



We have thought a compendious account 
of Phrenology was much wanted in the 
United States; as there are many who are 
desirous of a knowledge of this subject, who 
are nevertheless unwilling or unable to with- 
draw from their private concerns a sufficient 
amount of time and attention, to study the 
larger work with which alone the American 
public has been supplied. To such this ex- 
cellent little compend will be exactly suited; 
as it contains a very fair statement of what 
this science really is, within a volume not 
larger than can be readily perused by a man 



IV ADVERTISEMENT. 

in business. It is also well suited to those 
minds who do not like a subject exhausted, 
but wish something left for them to infer by 
the strength of their own understandings. 

The few alterations which we have ven- 
tured to make, are only where we thought 
we could increase the facility of comprehend- 
ing our author's meaning; and, in one 01 
two instances^ they are applied to what were 
probably errors of the press. In a subject so 
new and so much objected to by many as 
Phrenology, it is of primary importance that 
every thing should be rendered as clear and 
as little liable to misapprehension as possible. 
To this object all delicacy to authors should 
give way; and we have aimed exclusively at 
making the book as useful as we could. 

Where we have differed in opinion from 
our learned author, we have expressed our 
doubts and conclusions in a few pages of 
notes, appended to the end of the volume. 

Philadelphia, December, 1825, 



PREFACE 



TO THE 



FIRST EDITION. 



Many persons desire to know something 
about Phrenology, who nevertheless are not 
prepared to bestow much either of time or 
money in the pursuit of it. There are others 
who, fully convinced of its truth and import- 
ance, wish to possess a manual to facilitate 
their practice of its doctrines. The present 
work is intended to serve both classes, by- 
conveying a brief but comprehensive view of 
the science at a moderate expense. 

A second edition of the essays on Phre- 
nology will immediately be put to press; and 
a 2 



Vi PREFACE. 

in them a detailed exposition of the evidence, 
theory, and application of the system will be 
given. The work will consist of at least two 
volumes octavo, with numerous plates. 



Edinburgh, } 
%th July, 1824, 5 



ADVERTISEMENT 



SECOND EDITION. 



The sale of the First Edition of this work, 
consisting of 1500 copies, within ten months, 
affords evidence that it has met with public 
approbation. The rapid progress of Phre- 
nology has rendered some additions neces- 
sary. The present edition, therefore, con- 
tains the latest discoveries in the science, re- 
ferences to casts which illustrate the organs, 
and an elucidation of some points attended 
with difficulty. 

Edinburgh, ~) 
7th May, 1825, 5 



CONTENTS. 



Introductory Observations, - 


- 


Page 1 


History of Discovery, 


<* 


ib. 


Principles of Phrenology, - 


- 


11 


Definition of an Organ, 


- 


12 


of a Faculty, 


- 


14 



Organs double, and extend from medulla 

oblongata to surface of the brain, - 15 

Functions of parts at the base of the brain 

unknown, - - - - 16 

Frontal sinus, effects of, - - - ib. 

On the departure from parallelism in the 

two tables of the skull, 17 
Circumstances which determine whether a 

faculty is primitive, - - - 18 

Order I.— FEELINGS, ... 20 

Genus I. — Propensities, - - - ib. 

No. 1. Amativeness, - - - ib. 

2. Philoprogenitiveness, - - 23 

3. Concentrativeness, 24 

4. Adhesiveness, 28 

5. Combativeness, 29 

6. Destructive n ess, - - 31 

7. Constructiveness, - - 35 

8. Acquisitiveness, 39 

9. Secretiveness, 41 
Genus II. — Sentiments, 45 

10. Self-Esteem. 46 



X CONTENTS. 

11. Love of Approbation, 49 

12. Cautiousness, 53 

13. Benevolence, 55 

14. Veneration, 58 

15. Hope, - ... 61 

16. Ideality, ... - 63 
Wonder, 65 

17. Conscientiousness, 68 

18. Firmness, 72 

Order II.— INTELLECTUAL FACULTIES, 74 

Genus I. — External Senses, - - ib. 

Feeling or Touch, 78 

Taste, - - 79 

Smell, - - - - ib. 

Hearing, 80 

Sight, ib. 

Genus II. — Knowing Faculties, - 82 

19. Individuality, - - - ib. 

20. Form, . ... 87 

21. Size, ib. 

22. Weight or Resistance, - - 88 

23. Colouring, 89 

24. Locality, 91 

25. Order, 93 

26. Time, ... 95 

27. Number, - - . ib. 

28. Tune, 97 

29. Language, 99 
Functions of Individuality and 

other knowing organs analysed, 103 

Genus III. — Reflecting Faculties, - 105 

30. Comparison, ... 106 

31. Causality, - - - 108 



CONTENTS. XI 

32. Wit, 111 

33. Imitation, - - - 114 
Modes of Activity, - 115 

Of the Propensities and Sentiments, - 116 

Of the Knowing and Reflecting Faculties, 120 

Of Perception, 121 

Memory, 122 

Conception and Imagination, - 123 

Judgment, - - - 124 

Attention, - - - 125 

Association, - - - ib. 

Pleasure and Pain, ... 134 

Passion, - - - ib. 

Sympathy, .... 135 

Habit, 139 

Taste, 140 

Effects of Size and Activity in the Organs, - 141 

Practical Directions for observing Development, 144 

Table of Measurements by Callipers, - - 148 

Brains of Animals, .... 157 

Combinations in Size, - 169 

Combinations in Activity, - - - 179 

On Materialism, - - - - 187 

Different Classifications of Organs, - - 199 

Description of Callipers and Craniometer, - 208 



Directions to the Binder. 

Put the engraving of the head at the Title- 
Page, and that of the New Craniemeter at 
the end, 



ELEMENTS 



!111I@1© ©Tq 



INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 

Phrenology (derived from <p$w mind, and 
A0705 discourse) treats of the faculties of the 
Human Mind, and of the organs by means of 
which they manifest themselves; but it does 
not enable us to predict actions. 

Dr. Gall, a physician of Vienna, now resi- 
dent in Paris,* is the founder of the system. 
From an early age he was given to observa- 
tion; and was struck with the fact, that each 
of his brothers and sisters, companions in 
play, and schoolfellows, was distinguished 
from other individuals by some peculiarity of 
talent or disposition. Some of his school- 
mates were characterized by the beauty of 

* Bom at Tiefenbrun, in Suabia, on 9th March, 1757. 
A 



2 INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 

their penmanship, some by their success in 
arithmetic, and others by their talent for ac- 
quiring a knowledge of natural history, or 
languages. The compositions of one were 
remarkable for elegance; the style of another 
was stiff and dry; while a third connected 
his reasonings in the closest manner, and 
clothed his argument in the most forcible 
language. Their dispositions were equally 
different; and this diversity appeared also 
to determine the direction of their partiali- 
ties and aversions. Not a few of them ma- 
nifested a capacity for employments which 
they were not taught; they cut figures in 
w T ood, or delineated them on paper; some 
devoted their leisure to painting, or the cul- 
ture of a garden ; while their comrades aban- 
doned themselves to noisy games, or tra- 
versed the woods to gather flowers, seek for 
bird-nests, or catch butterflies. In this man- 
ner, each individual presented a character pe- 
culiar to himself, and Dr. Gall never ob- 
served, that the individual, who in one year 
had displayed selfish or knavish dispositions, 
became in the next a good and faithful friend. 
The scholars with whom Dr. Gall had 
the greatest difficulty in competing, were 



TRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 3 

those who learned by heart with great faci- 
lity; and such individuals frequently gained 
from him by their repetitions the places 
which he* had obtained by the merit of his 
original compositions. 

Some years afterwards, having changed his 
place of residence, he still met individuals en- 
dowed with an equally great talent of learn- 
ing to repeat. He then observed, that his 
schoolfellows, so gifted, possessed prominent 
eyes, and recollected, that his rivals in the 
first school had been distinguished by the 
same peculiarity. When he entered the 
University he directed his attention, from 
the first, to the students whose eyes were of 
this description, and found that they all ex- 
celled in getting rapidly by heart, and giving 
correct recitations, although many of them 
were by no means distinguished in point of 
general talent. This observation was re- 
cognised also by the other students in the 
classes; and although the connexion betwixt 
the talent and the external sign was not at this 
time established upon such complete evidence 
as is requisite for a philosophical conclu- 
sion, Dr. Gall could not believe that the 
coincidence of the two circumstances was 



4 INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 

entirely accidental. From this period, there- 
fore, he suspected that they stood in an im- 
portant relation to each other. After much 
reflection, he conceived, that if MSmory for 
words was indicated by an external sign, the 
same might be the case with the other in- 
tellectual powers; and thereafter, all indivi- 
duals distinguished by any remarkable facul- 
ty became the objects of his attention. By 
degrees, he conceived himself to have found 
external characteristics, which indicated a 
decided disposition for Painting, Music, 
and the Mechanical Arts. He became ac- 
quainted also with some individuals remarka- 
ble for the determination of their character, 
and he observed a particular part of their 
heads to be very largely developed. This 
fact first suggested to him the idea of looking 
to the head for signs of the Moral Senti- 
ments. But in making these observations, 
he never conceived, for a moment, that the 
skull was the cause of the different talents, 
as has been erroneously represented; for, 
from the first, he referred the influence, 
whatever it was, to the Brain. 

In following out, by observations, the prin- 
ciple which accident had thus suggested, he 



Introductory observations. 5 

for some time encountered difficulties of the 
greatest magnitude. Hitherto he had been 
altogether ignorant of the opinions of Phy- 
siologists touching the brain, and of Meta- 
physicians respecting the mental faculties. 
He had simply observed nature. When, 
however, he began to enlarge his knowledge 
of books, he found the most extraordinary 
conflict of opinions every where prevailing; 
and this, for the moment, made him hesitate 
about the correctness of his own observations. 
He found that the moral sentiments had, by 
an almost general consent, been consigned 
to the thoracic and abdominal viscera; and 
that while Pythagoras, Plato, Galen, 
Hallf.r, and some other Physiologists, 
placed the sentient soul or intellectual facul- 
ties in the brain, Aristotle placed it in the 
heart, Van Helmoxt in the stomach, Des 
Cartes and his followers in the pineal gland, 
and Drelincourt and others in the cerebel- 
lum. 

He observed also, that a great number of 
Philosophers and Physiologists asserted, that 
all men are born with equal mental faculties; 
and that the differences observable among 
them are owing either to education, or to the 
A 2 



6 INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 

accidental circumstances in which they are 
placed. If all difference were accidental, he 
inferred that there could be no natural signs 
of predominating faculties, and consequently 
that the project of learning, by observation, 
to distinguish the functions of the different 
portions of the brain, must be hopeless. This 
difficulty he combated, by the reflection, that 
his brothers, sisters, and schoolfellows, had 
all received very nearly the same education, 
but that he had still observed each of them 
unfolding a distinct character, over which cir- 
cumstances appeared to exert only a limited 
control. He observed also, that not unfre- 
quently those, whose education had been con- 
ducted with the greatest care, and on whom 
the labours of teachers had been most freely 
lavished, remained far behind their compa- 
nions in attainments. " Often," says Dr. 
Gall, " we were accused of want of will, or 
"•'deficiency in zeal; but many of us could 
• * not, even with the most ardent desire, fol- 
lowed out by the most obstinate efforts, at- 
tain in some pursuits even to mediocrity; 
:; while in some other points, some of us sur- 
:i passed our schoolfellows without an effort, 
•'and almost, it might be said, without per- 



INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 7 

"ceiving it ourselves. But, in point of fact, 
"our masters did not appear to attach much 
" faith to the system which taught the equa- 
lity of mental faculties; for they thought 
u themselves entitled to exact more from one 
"scholar, and less from another. They spoke 
"frequently of natural gifts, or of the gifts of 
" God, and consoled their pupils in the words 
"of the gospel, by assuring them that each 
" would be required to render an account, 
" only in proportion to the gifts which he had 
•'received."* 

Being convinced by these facts, that there 
is a natural and constitutional diversity of 
talents and dispositions, he encountered in 
books still another obstacle to his success in 
determining the external signs of the mental 
powers. He found that, instead of faculties 
for languages, drawing, distinguishing places, 
music, and mechanical arts, corresponding to 
the different talents which he had observed 
in his schoolfellows, the metaphysicians spoke 
only of general powers, such as perception, 
conception, memory, imagination, and judg- 
ment; and when he endeavoured to discover 

* Preface by Dr. Gall to the "Anatomie, &c. du 
r ,erveau;" from which other facts in this work are taken, 



8 INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS 

external signs in the head, corresponding to- 
these general faculties, or to determine the cor- 
rectness of the physiological doctrines taught 
by the authors already mentioned, regarding 
the seat of the mind, he found perplexities 
without end, and difficulties insurmountable. 

Dr. Gall, therefore, abandoning every 
theory and preconceived opinion, gave him- 
self up entirely to the observation of nature. 
Being a friend to Dr. Nord, Physician to a 
Lunatic Asylum in Vienna, he had opportu- 
nities, of which he availed himself, of making 
observations on the insane. He visited pri- 
sons, and resorted to schools; he was intro- 
duced to the courts of Princes, to Colleges/ 
and the seats of Justice; and wherever he 
heard of an individual distinguished in any 
particular way, either by remarkable endow- 
ment or deficiency, he observed and studied 
the development of his head. In this man- 
ner, by an almost imperceptible induction, 
he conceived himself warranted in believing, 
that particular mental powers are indicated by 
particular configurations of the head. 

Hitherto he had resorted only to Physiog- 
nomical indications, as a means of discover- 
ing the functions of the brain. On reflection, 



INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 9 

However, he was convinced that Physiology 
is imperfect when separated from Anatomy. 
Having observed a woman of fifty-four years 
of age, who had been afflicted with hydroce- 
phalus from her youth, and who, neverthe- 
less, possessed a mind as active and intelli- 
gent as that of other individuals of her class, 
Dr. Gall declared his conviction, that the 
structure of the brain must be different from 
what was generally conceived, — a remark 
which Tulpius also had made, on observing 
a hydrocephalic patient who manifested the 
mental faculties. He therefore felt the ne- 
cessity of making anatomical researches into 
the structure of the brain. 

In every instance, when an individual, 
whose head he had observed, while alive p 
happened to die, he used every means to be 
permitted to examine the brain, and fre- 
quently did so; and found as a general fact, 
that, on removal of the skull, the brain, co- 
vered by the dura mater, presented a form 
corresponding to that which the skull had ex- 
hibited in life. 

The successive steps by which Dr. Gall 
proceeded in his discoveries, are particularly 
deserving of attention > He did not, as many 



20 INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 

have imagined, first dissect the brain, and 
pretend by that means to discover the seats 
of the mental powers; neither did he, as 
others have conceived, first map out the skull 
into various compartments, and assign a fa- 
culty to each, according as his imagination 
led him to conceive the place appropriate to 
the power. On the contrary, he first ob- 
served a concomitance betwixt particular ta- 
lents and dispositions, and particular forms of 
the head; he next ascertained, by removal 
of the skull, that the figure and size of the 
brain are indicated by these external forms; 
and it was only after these facts were deter- 
mined, that the brain was minutely dissected, 
and light thrown upon its structure. 
9 At Vienna, in 1796, Dr. Gall for the first 
time delivered lectures on his system. 

In 1800, Dr. J. G, Spurzheim* began the 
study of Phrenology under him, having in 
that year assisted, for the first time, at one 
of his lectures. In 1804 he was associated 
with him in his labours; and since that pe- 
riod has not only added many valuable disco- 
veries to those of Dr. Gall in the anatomy 

* Born at Longuich, near Treves on the Moselle, 
31st December, 1776, 



INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 11 

and physiology of the brain, but formed the 
truths brought to light, by their joint obser- 
vations, into a beautiful and interesting sys- 
tem of mental philosophy. In Britain we 
are chiefly indebted to his personal exertions 
and printed works for a knowledge of the 
science. 

An elementary view of the result of their 
labours will be given in the following sheets. 

Their method of investigation is free from 
certain insuperable difficulties, which have 
impeded the progress of other philosophers 
in establishing a true theory of mind. 

1st, Dissection alone does not reveal the 
functions of any organ. No person, by dis- 
secting the optic nerve, could predicate that 
its office is to minister to vision; or, by dis- 
secting the tongue, could discover that it is 
the organ of taste. Anatomists, therefore, 
could not, by the mere practice of their art, 
discover the functions of the brain.* 

2dly, The mind is not conscious of acting 
by means of organs; and hence metaphysical 
philosophers, who, in studying the mental 
phenomena, confined themselves to reflection 
on consciousness, could not discover the ma- 

* See Note A, at the end. 



12 INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 

terial instruments by means of which the 
mind performs its operations in this life, and 
communicates with the external world. 

It is ascertained by experiment and obser- 
vation, that the form of the brain can be dis- 
covered in individuals, in perfect health, and 
under the middle period of life, by inspecting 
the cranium. 

The Phrenologist compares cerebral de- 
velopment with the manifestations of mental 
power, for the purpose of discovering the 
functions of the brain, and the organs of the 
mind; and this method of investigation is 
conformable to the principles of the induc- 
tive philosophy, and free from the objections 
attending the anatomical and metaphysical 
modes of research. 

A mental organ is a material instrument, 
by means of which the mind, in this life, en- 
ters into particular states, active and passive. 

The mind is regarded as simple, and its 
substance or essence is unknown. It is fur- 
nished by nature, with highly interesting 
susceptibilities, and a vast apparatus of men- 
tal organs, for enabling it to manifest its 
energies, and enter into different states. 
Thus, when aided by optic and auditory 



INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 13 

nerves, the mind sees and hears; when as- 
sisted by an organ of Cautiousness, it feels 
fear; by an organ of Causality, it reasons. 
Its power of seeing depends on the perfection 
of the optic nerves; and in like manner its 
power of experiencing the emotion of beauty 
is in proportion to the perfection of the organ 
of Ideality. The optic nerve, when stimu- 
lated by light, induces the active state, called 
Seeing, in the mind; and the organ of Bene- 
volence, excited by an object in distress, pro- 
duces the mental state, called Compassion. 

States of mind are either simple or com- 
plex. A simple state results from the action 
of a single organ on the mind. Seeing is a 
simple state arising from the activit}^ of the 
optic nerves. Complex states are produced 
when the mind is acted upon by several or- 
gans at the same time. Thus, suppose that 
an insult is offered to an individual in an au- 
gust assembly; Self-Esteem will produce the 
feeling of offended dignity, and Destructive- 
ness w T ill give the desire of revenge; Venera- 
tion, however, will call up the emotion of 
respect or awe for the personages present; 
and Cautiousness, and Love of Approbation, 
will give rise to the fear of offending them, 

B 



14 INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 

and all these contending emotions may co- 
exist. Hence, the mind, simple in itself, 
may, by means of a plurality of organs, exist 
in a state of complex relation to other ob- 
jects.* 

The term Faculty is retained as a conve- 
nient expression for the particular states into 
which the mind enters, when influenced by 
particular organs. It is applied to the feel- 
ings as well as to the intellect. Thus, the fa- 
culty of Benevolence means every mode of 
benevolent feeling induced by means of the 
organ of Benevolence. 

The following points are conceived to be 
established by an extensive induction of facts. 

Isi, The mind manifests a plurality of fa- 
culties. 

2dly, The brain is the material instrument 
by means of which the mind acts, and is 
acted, upon; and it is a congeries of organs, 

Sdly, The power with which each faculty 
is capable of manifesting itself, bears a pro- 
portion to the size of its organs. Power and 
activity are distinguishable, and will be ex- 
plained in a subsequent part of this work. 

* This doctrine was first clearly elucidated by the 
Rev. David Welsh, in his excellent Life of the late Dr. 
Thomas Browk, Note N. p. 519. 



j i'RODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 15 

The brain consists of two hemispheres, 
separated by a strong membrane called 
the falciform process of the dura mater. 
Each hemisphere is an aggregate of parts, 
and each part serves to manifest a particular 
mental faculty. The two hemispheres, in 
general, correspond in form and functions; 
and hence there are two organs for each fa- 
culty, one situated in each hemisphere. The 
cerebellum in man is situated below the brain. 
A thick membrane, named the Tentorium, 
separates the two; but they are both connect- 
ed with the medulla oblongata, and through it 
with each other. 

Each organ extends from the medulla ob- 
longata, or top of the spinal marrow, to the 
surface of the brain or cerebellum; and every 
individual possesses all the organs in a greater 
or less decree. 

The size of an organ is estimated by its 
length and its breadth. Its length is mea- 
sured by the distance from the medulla ob- 
longata, or top of the spinal marrow, to the 
outer surface of the brain. A line drawn 
through the head, from the opening of one 
ear to that of the other, would, in the middle, 
pass close to, but a little before, the medulla 



16 INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 

oblongata; hence the length of an organ is 
measured from the line of the ear to the cir- 
cumference. Its breadth is indicated by its 
expansion at the surface. An organ may 
thus be likened to an inverted cone, with its 
apex in the medulla, and its base at the sur- 
face of the brain ; the broader the base and 
longer the distance betwixt it and the apex, 
the greater will be the size, or the quantity 
of matter which it will contain. 

There are parts at the base of the brain, in 
the middle and posterior regions, the size of 
which cannot be discovered during life, and 
whose functions in consequence are still un- 
known. From analogy, and some patholo- 
gical facts, they are supposed to be the organs 
of the sensations of hunger and thirst, heat 
and cold, and of some other mental affections, 
for which cerebral organs have not been dis- 
covered; but demonstrative evidence to this 
effect being wanting, this conjecture is merely 
stated to incite to farther investigation.* 

The frontal sinus is an opening between the 
inner and outer surfaces of the frontal bone, 
occurring at the top of the nose. It is found 

* See Note B. 



INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 17 

in general after the age of puberty, and ex- 
tends along the spaces marked T 2 g- and 21 on 
the Plate; and throws a degree of uncertain- 
ty over the development of the organs indi- 
cated by these numbers. In old age and dis- 
ease it frequently becomes much larger, ex- 
tending over a variety of organs; but these 
cases form exceptions to the general rule, and 
are not proper for observation. In other parts 
of the skull marked as pointing out the situa- 
tion of organs, the outer and inner surfaces 
are either parallel, or the departure from per- 
fect parallelism, where it occurs, is limited to 
a line, or T V or | of an inch, according to the age 
and health of the individual. The difference 
in development between a large and a small 
organ, in those of the propensities and some of 
the sentiments, amounts to an inch and up- 
wards; and to a quarter of an inch in the or- 
gans of intellect, which are naturally smaller 
than the others.* 

The Phrenologists consider Man by him- 
self, and also compare him with other ani- 
mals. When the lower animals manifest the 
same propensities and feelings as those dis- 

* See Note C. 
B 2 



18 INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 

played by man, the faculties which produce 
them are held to be common to both. 
A faculty is admitted as primitive, 

1. Which exists in one kind of animals, and 
not in another; 

2. Which varies in the two sexes of the 
same species; 

3. Which is not proportionate to the other 
faculties of the same individual : 

4. Which does not manifest itself simulta- 
neously with the other faculties; that is, 
which appears and disappears earlier or later 
in life than other faculties; 

5. Which may act or rest singly; 

6. Which is propagated in a distinct man- 
ner from parents to children; and, 

7. Which may singly preserve its proper 
state of health or disease. 

The history of the discovery of each faculty 
and its organs is stated in Dr. Gall's 4to 
work in 4 vols., entitled " Physiologie du 
Cerveau," and some of the evidence on which 
each is admitted is also there brought for- 
ward. Dr. Spurzheim's work, entitled 
-The New Physiognomical System," also 
contains many facts; and more cases will be 
found in the Transactions of the Phrenologi- 



INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 19 

cal Society, and in the Phrenological Journal. 
It is impossible to repeat these in so limited 
a work as the present. The reader is there- 
fore respectfully informed, that I do not here 
state the evidence on which Phrenology is 
founded; and beg to refer him to the sources 
of information now alluded to, and to Na- 
ture, which is always within his reach; for 
self-conviction can be obtained only by self- 
observation. 

When the two organs of a faculty are situ- 
ated immediately on the sides of the middle 
line separating the hemispheres, they are in- 
cluded in one space on the busts and plates. 
To save circumlocution, the expression 
11 organ" of a faculty will be frequently 
ised, but both organs are thereby meant. 



The Casts and Skulls, referred to in the 
subsequent pages, as illustrative of particular 
organs, are to be found in the collection of 
the Phrenological Society, which, by the li- 
berality of the Society, is open to public in- 
spection, in their Hall, Clyde Street, Edin- 



20 AMATIVENESS. 

burgh, every Saturday from One to Three 
o'clock.* 



Order I— FEELINGS. 

Genus L— Propensities. 

The faculties falling under this genus do 
not form ideas; their sole function is to pro- 
duce a propensity of a specific kind. These 
faculties are common to Man with Animals. 

1st. Amativeness. 

The cerebellum is the organ of this propen- 
sity, and it is situated between the mastoid pro- 
cess on each side, and the projecting point in 
the middle of the transverse ridge of the oc- 
cipital bone. The size is indicated during 

* Duplicates of most of these casts and skulls are ex- 
hibited and sold by Mr. James de Ville, 567, Strand, 
London ; by Messrs. Luke O'Neill and Sox, 125, Ca- 
oongate, Edinburgh; and by their agents, Mr. Cox, 
Bookseller, Castle Street, Oxford Street, London; Mr. 
Norton, Bookseller, Clare Street, Bristol; Mr. Had- 
dock, Bookseller, Warrington; Messrs. W. and A. Gal- 
letti, 10, Castle Street, Liverpool; and Mr. Dayies, 
Statuary, Pilgrim Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne. 



AMATIVENESS. 21 

life by the thickness of the neck at these 
parts. The faculty gives rise to the sexual 
feeling*. In new-born children, the cerebel- 
lum is the least developed of all the cerebral 
parts. It is to the brain as one to thirteen, 
fifteen or twenty, and in adults as one to six, 
seven, or eight. It attains its full size from 
eighteen to twenty-six. It is less in females, 
in general, than in males. In old age it fre- 
quently diminishes. There is no constant 
proportion betwixt the brain and the cerebel- 
lum in all individuals, just as there is no in- 
variable proportion betwixt the feeling and 
the other powers of the mind. Sometimes, 
however, the cerebellum is largely developed 
before the age of puberty. This was the case 
in a child of three years of age, in a boy of 
five, and in one of twelve; and they all ma- 
nifested the feeling strongly. In the cast of 
the skull of Dr. Hette, sold in the shops, 
the development is small, and the feeling 
corresponded. In the casts of Mitchell, 
Dean, Mary Macinnes, and Raphael, it 
is very large, and the manifestations were in 
proportion. Farther evidence of the func- 
tions of this organ will be found in Dr. 
Gall's "Physiologie du Cerveau;" and 



22 AMATIVENESS. 

several cases are mentioned in the following 
works, viz. " Journal of Pathological Ohser- 
" vations kept at the Hospital of the Ecole 
"deMedecine, No. 108, 15th July, 1817," 
case of Jean Michel Brigand; " Journal of 
"the Hotel Dieu," case of Florat, 19th 
March, 1819, and of a woman, 11th Novem- 
ber, 1818; "Wepeerus, Historiae apoplecti- 
corum," edit. 1724, page 4S7; "Philoso- 
phical Transactions," No. 228, case by Dr. 
Tyson; "Memoires de Chirurgie Militaire, 
"et Campagnes," by Baron Larrey, vol. 
Hi. p. 262, vol. ii. p. 150; "Serres on Apo- 
plexy ;" " Richer and's Elements of Physio- 
logy," pp. 379, 380, Kerrison's Translation. 
M. Flourens, a physiologist of Paris, has 
lately inflicted injuries on the cerebella of the 
lower animals; and contends, that these ex- 
periments show that this organ serves for the 
regulation of muscular motion. " On remov- 
ing the cerebellum," says he, "the animal 
"loses the power of executing combined 
"movements." Magendie performed si- 
milar experiments on the cerebellum, and 
found that they only occasioned an irresistible 
tendency in the animal to run, walk, or 
sivim, backwards. He performed experi- 



PH1LOFROGENITIVENESS. 

meats, also, on the corpora striata and tu- 
bercula quadrigc-mina, with the following 
results: when one part of these was cut, the 
animal rolled : when another, it went for- 
ward, and extended its head and extremi- 
ties: when another, it bent all these: so 
that, according to this mode of determining 
the cerebral functions, these parts of the brain 
possess an equal claim with the cerebellum, 
to be regarded as the regulators of motion. 
The fact is, that all parts of the nervous sys- 
tem are so intimately connected, that the in- 
Miction of injuries is not the way to determine 
the functions of any, even its least important 
parts.* — Established; 

2. PlilLOPROGENITIVEXESS. 

The organ is situated immediately above, 
the middle part of the cerebellum, and cor- 
responds to the protuberance of the occiput. 
It is generally larger in females than in males. 
When it is large, and No. I. moderate, it 
gives a drooping appearance to the hind part 
of the head. 

The chief function of the faculty is to pro- 
duce the instinctive love of offspring in gene- 

* See Note D. 



24 CONCENTRATIVENESS. 

ral. This feeling is distinct from benevo- 
lence; for we frequently find it strong in sel- 
fish individuals, who manifest no compassion- 
ate feeling towards adults. It is equally dis- 
tinct from self-love, for sometimes the most 
generous are passionately fond of children, 
and occasionally the most selfish are indiffe- 
rent about them. The faculty gives rise to a 
certain feeling of sympathetic interest in weak 
and helpless objects in general. It chiefly 
supports the mother in her toils, and renders 
even delightful the cares and troubles of rear- 
ing a helpless offspring. 

. The natural language of the faculty is soft, 
tender, and sympathetic; and when the feel- 
ing is strong, the individual is delighted at 
the sight of children; who, on the other hand, 
are instinctively captivated by its natural ex- 
pression, and flock around him when he 
makes his appearance. The organ is larger 
in the female in general than in the male. It 
is large in the Hindoo, Negro, and Charib 
skulls. — Established. 

3. CONCENTRATIVENESS. 

The organ is situated immediately above 
Philoprogenitiveness, and below Self-Esteem. 



CONCENTRATIVENESS. 25 

Observation proves that this is a distinct 
organ, because it is sometimes found large, 
when the organs of Philoprogenitiveness and 
Self-Esteem lying below and above it are 
small, and sometimes small when these are 
large. Dr. Spurzheim observed it to be large 
in those animals and persons who seemed at- 
tached to particular places; and he thence 
termed it the organ of Inhabitiveness. The 
function, however, is stated by him as only 
conjectural. From more enlarged observa- 
tions, it now seems probable, that its function 
is to maintain two or more powers in simul- 
taneous and combined activity, so that they 
may be directed towards one object; and it 
is, in consequence, named Concentrativeness. 

The first step in the discovery of this last 
function was the observation, that certain in- 
dividuals are naturally prone to sedentary ha- 
bits, and find it painful to stir abroad, with- 
out a special motive, and this, too, of consi- 
derable urgency. Other persons experience 
equal difficulty in settling; their strongest de- 
sire is to engage in some active employment, 
in vrhich their attention shall be carried, as it 
were, out of themselves, and occupied with 
external objects and occurrences. The former 
c 



<: 26 CONCENTRATIVENESS. 

were perceived to possess this organ large, 
the latter small. Some patients, afflicted with 
nervous debility, feel extreme aversion to ac- 
tive pursuits, in whom the organ may be 
found small; but these are cases of disease, 
and the observations now alluded to were made 
on individuals in the vigour of life and health. 
The next step was the observation, that 
some persons possess a natural facility of con- 
centrating their feelings and thoughts, with- 
out the tendency to be distracted by the in- 
trusion of emotions or ideas foreign to the 
main point under consideration. Such per- 
sons possess a command over their feelings 
and intellectual powers, so as to be able to di- 
rect them in their whole vigour to the pur- 
suit which forms the object of their study for 
the time, and hence they produce the great- 
est possible results from the particular endow- 
ment which nature has bestowed on them. 
Other individuals, on the other hand, have 
been observed, whose feelings do not act in 
combination, who find their thoughte lost in 
dissipation, who are unable to keep the lead- 
ing idea in its situation of becoming promi- 
neace, are distracted by accessories; and, in 
short, experience great difficulty in combin- 



conciTntrativeness. 21 

iog their whole powers to a single object. 
These persons, even with considerable reflect- 
ing talents, fail to produce a corresponding 
general effect, and their mental production^ 
are characterized by the intrusion of irrelevant 
emotions and ideas, and the unperceived 
omission of others that are important, arising 
from the disjointed action of their several fa- 
culties. The organ was perceived to be large 
in the former and small in the latter. 

Probably it is by the exercise of a power 
resembling Concentrativeness, that animals, 
such as the chamois, who are fond of heights, 
are enabled to maintain in action all those fa- 
culties which are necessary to preserve their 
position while they browse in difficult or dan- 
gerous situations, and at the same time avoid 
the aim of the hunter 1 . There appears, there- 
fore, to be nothing in the limited observations 
of Dr. Spurzheim, inconsistent with the more 
extensive views now taken of the functions 
of this faculty. Concentrativeness, however, 
is stated as only probable; and the function is 
open to elucidation from farther observations. 

It has been objected, that concentration of 
mind is an intellectual operation, and that the 
organ No. 3. is situated" between the propen- 



28 ADHESIVENESS. 

sities and sentiments. I doubt, however, if 
concentration be of an intellectual nature. 
All the Intellectual faculties perceive objects 
or relations existing independent of the mind, 
but Concentrativeness has no external object 
or relation. Its whole influence and sphere 
of activity, like those of Firmness and Self- 
Esteem, near which it is placed, arise and ter- 
minate in the mind itself. This is character- 
ijstic of a sentiment, and not of an intellectual 
power. Farther, Concentrativeness combines 
the feelings, and directs them in a concen- 
trated effort, as much as it does the Intellec- 
tual faculties. The Author of Waverley 
speaks of "concentrated grief ;" and it is 
sense to speak of " concentrated selfishness," 
or " concentrated affection ;" these effects 
arising from this organ, combined with Cau- 
tiousness, Self-Esteem, Adhesiveness or Ac- 
quisitiveness. The organ is small in the 
American Indians, and larger in Negroes 
and Europeans. 

4. Adhesiveness. 

This organ is situated on each side of Con- 
centrativeness, higher up than Philoprogeni- 
tiveness, and just above the lambdoidal suture. 



C0MBATIVENES$. 29 

The faculty produces the instinctive ten- 
dency to attach one's-self to surrounding ob- 
jects, animate and inanimate. Those persons 
in whom it is very strong feel an involuntary 
impulse to embrace and cling to the object of 
their affections. It disposes to friendship and 
society in general, and gives ardour to the 
shake of the hand. In boys it frequently in- 
dicates itself by attachment to dogs, horses, 
rabbits, birds, and other animals. In girls it 
shows itself by affectionate embraces of the 
doll. It is stronger, and the organ is larger, 
id women than in men. When too strong, 
excessive regret at the loss of a friend, or ex* 
cessive uneasiness at leaving one's country, 
or the disease called Nostalgia is the result. 
When feeble, indifference to others is the 
consequence, which may render a man an 
anchorite or hermit. The organ is large in 
Mrs. H. and Mary Macinnes. — Established^ 

5. CoMBATIVENESS. 

The organ is situated at the inferior and 
mastoid angle of the parietal bone. 

The faculty produces active courage, and, 
when energetic, the propensity to attack. 
A considerable endowment is indispensable 



30 COMBATIVENESS. 

to all great and magnanimous characters. It 
gives that boldness to the mind which ena- 
bles it to look undaunted on opposition, to 
meet, and, if possible, to overcome it. When 
very deficient, the individual cannot resist at- 
tacks, and is incapable of making his way 
where he must invade the prejudices or en- 
counter the hostility of others. When too 
energetic, it inspires with the love of conten- 
tion for its own sake; leads to a fiery and 
quarrelsome disposition; and pleasure may 
then be felt in disputation or in fighting. 

Dr. Reid and Mr. Stewart admit this 
propensity under the name of Sudden Resent- 
ment; and Dr. Thomas Brown speaks of a 
principle which gives us " additional vigour, 
"when assailed, and which, from the cer- 
" tainty of this additional vigour of resistance, 
"renders attack formidable to the assailant." 
And, again, " there is," says he, "a principle 
"in our mind, which is to us like a constant 
"'protector, which may slumber, indeed, but 
" which slumbers only at seasons when its vigi- 
" lance would be useless, which awakes, there- 
" fore, at the first appearance of unjust inten- 
" tion, and which becomes more watchful, and 
" more vigorous, in proportion to the violence 



DESTRUCTIVENESS. 31 

"of the attack which it has to dread. " — Vol. 
iii. p. 324. " Courage," says Dr. Johnson, 
"is a quality so necessary for maintaining 
"virtue, that it is always respected, even 
" when it is associated with vice." The chief 
difference betwixt these and the Phrenologi- 
cal views is, that we regard the propensity as 
an active impulse, exerting an habitual influ- 
ence on the mind, inspiring it, when the or- 
gan is large, with constitutional boldness, and 
prompting it to seek opportunities and situa- 
tions in which the faculty may exercise itself; 
and, when the organ is small, permitting a 
characteristic timidity and deficiency of spi- 
rit for active enterprise. 

The organ is generally large in persons who 
have murdered from the impulse of the mo- 
ment. It is large in the Charibs, King 
Robert Bruce, David Haggart, Mary 
Maginnes, Maxwell; moderate in Rev. 
Mr. M., and small in most of the Hindoos. 
— Established. 

6. Destructiveness. 

This organ is situated immediately above, 
and extends a little backwards and forwards 
from the external opening of the ear, and cor- 



32 DESTRUCTIVENESS. 

responds to the squamous plate of the tempo- 
ral bone. In Dr. Gali/s plates it extends a 
few lines farther back than in Dr. Spurz- 
heim's. I have seen cases in nature cor- 
responding to both, there being slight varia- 
tions in the situations of the cerebral organs, 
as in the distributions of the blood-vessels, 
nerves, &c. in different individuals. A dif- 
ference in the skulls of carnivorous and her- 
bivorous animals, first suggested the existence 
of the organ. If we place the skull of any 
carnivorous animal horizontally, and trace 
a vertical line through the external meatus 
auditorium, a great portion of the cerebral mass 
is situated above and behind that line; and 
the more an animal is carnivorous, the larger 
is the quantity of brain there situated. — Spurz- 
heim, p. 304.* 

The faculty produces the impulse, attended 
with desire, to destroy in general. Comba- 
tiveness gives the desire to meet and over- 
come obstacles, and having vanquished them, 
the mind, under its inspiration, pursues them 
no farther. Destructiveness prompts us to 
exterminate them, so that they may never 

* See Note E. 



s ;ructi\ n 

rise up to occasion fresh embarrassment. 
When energetic, it gives a keen and impa- 
tient tone to the mind, and adds activity and 
force to the whole character. Anger and 
rage are manifestations of it; which being- 
analysed are threats of unpleasant conse- 
quences or vengeance to those who transgress 
our commands, or encroach on our rights. 
Hence it gives weight to injunction, by in- 
spiring with dread of suffering in case of diso- 
bedience. It is essential to satire; and in- 
spires authors who write cuttingly, with a 
view to lacerate the feelings of their oppo- 
nents. When very deficient, there is a lack 
of fire in the constitution: the mind, as it 
were, wants edge, and the individual is prone 
to sink into passive indolence. He feels, 
too, and others likewise discover, that his re- 
sentment wants force, that it is feeble and im- 
potent, and the wicked set him at defiance, 
or subject him with impunity to abuse. Cru- 
elty is the result of its excessive energy, un- 
controlled by Benevolence and Justice. The 
organ is conspicuous in the heads of cool and 
deliberate murderers, and in persons habitu- 
ally delighting in cruelty. Cursing is the 



34 DESTRUCTIVENESS. 

outward expression of its fierce activity, and 
is another form of its abuse. 

Metaphysical authors, in general, take no 
notice of any such propensity as this. Lord 
Kames, who has been censured by Mr. Stew- 
art, for admitting, unnecessarily, too many 
instinctive principles, observes, that, "there 
"is a contrivance of Nature, no less simple 
" than effectual, which engages men to bear 
"with cheerfulness the fatigues of hunting, 
"and the uncertainty of capture; and that is 
" an appetite for hunting" — " It is an il y - 
"lustrious instance of providential care, the 
"adapting the internal constitution of man 
"to his external circumstances. The appe*- 
" tite for hunting, though among us little ne* 
"cessary for food, is to this day remarkable 
" in young men, high and low, rich and poor. 
" Natural propensities may be rendered faint 
" or obscure, but never are totally eradicated." 
—Sketches, B. i. In point of fact, I have 
found the organ large in keen sportsmen with- 
out exception. It is also generally large in 
those who are fond of seeing public execu- 
tions, floggings, and the infliction of pain in 
all its forms. When very powerful, but com- 
bined with the higher sentiments equally yh 



RUCTIVENESS. 65 

porous, it renders the destruction of inani- 
mate objects a delightful occupation. The 
organ is large in the busts of Dean, Mit- 
chell, Pallet, Thurtell, Heaman, and 
in the skulls of Bruce, Gordon, Hussey, 
Nisbet, Bellingham, Buchanan, Ro- 
therham, Albert; and small in most of 
the Hindoos. — Established. 

7. Constructiveness. 

This organ is situated at that part of the 
frontal bone immediately above the spheno- 
temporal suture. Its appearance and situation 
vary slightly, according to the development 
of the neighbouring parts. Its size is less 
easily distinguished, if the zygomatic process 
is very projecting, or if the middle lobes of 
the brain, or the forehead in general, or the 
organs of Language and Order in particular, 
are greatly developed. The leading object is 
to determine the actual size of each organ, and 
not its mere prominence; and it is proper, 
therefore, in examining nature, to keep these 
observations in view, and also to notice, that 
if the base of the brain is narrow, this organ 
holds a situation a little higher, and there will 
then frequently be found a slight depression 
at the external angle of the eye, betwixt the 



36 CONSTRUCTIVENESS* 

zygomatic process and the organ in question, 
especially when the muscles are thin. In 
such cases, it has sometimes appeared as high 
up as Tune. This slight variation from uniform 
situation occurs, as already mentioned, in the 
distribution of all the parts of the body; but 
the anatomist, who knows the circumstance, 
is not, on this account, embarrassed in his 
operations; for the aberration never exceeds 
certain limits, and he acquires, by experience, 
the tact of allowing for it to this extent. It 
has been objected, that the elevation or de- 
pression of this part of the brain depends upon 
the force with which the temporal muscles, 
which lie over it, have acted in the indivi- 
dual; and it is said that carnivorous animals 
who masticate bones, and in consequence 
possess those muscles in a very powerful de- 
gree, have narrow heads, and little brain in 
the region of this organ. The answer to this 
is fourfold; 1st, Carnivorous animals do not 
build, and the organ in question is wanting 
in them. The organ being absent, their heads 
are narrow of course; but all this is in exact 
accordance with Phrenology. 2dly, In the 
beaver, which cuts timber with its teeth, and 
in which the temporal muscles act with great 






GONSTRUCTIVENESS. 37 

energy, the organ is large, and the head is 
broad ; which also harmonizes with our doc- 
trine, and contradicts that of the objectors. 
3rf/y, In the human race, the breadth of the 
head, at the region in question, which indi- 
cates the size of the organ, does not bear a 
proportion to the force with which mastica- 
tion is performed; for some individuals, who 
live chiefly on slops, and chew little, have 
narrow heads, and weak constructive talents, 
while others, who eat hard viands, have broad 
heads, and manifest great mechanical skill; 
and, Aihty) The actual breadth of the head 
in this quarter, from whatever cause it arises, 
bears a regular proportion to the actual en- 
dowment of constructive genius. 

The temporal muscle differs in thickness 
in different persons, and the phrenologist 
ought to desire the individual observed to 
move the lower jaw, and, while he does so, 
to feel the muscle, and allow for its size. 
This uncertainty in regard to the dimensions 
of the temporal muscle, renders it unsafe to 
predicate the size of the organs of Construc- 
tiveness and Acquisitiveness from casts of 
the head, unless information as to the thick- 
ness of the fleshy fibres is communicated. 



38 C0NSTRUCT1VENESS. 

These organs, therefore, are best established, 
by examining living heads, or skulls, or casts 
of skulls. 

In man, the faculty inspires with the ten- 
dency to construct in general, and the parti- 
cular direction in which it is exerted, de- 
pends on the other predominant faculties of 
the individual; for example, if combined with 
large Combativeness and Destructiveness, it 
may be employed in fabricating implements 
of war; if joined with Veneration predomi- 
nating, it may tend towards erecting places 
of religious worship. If united with large 
Form, Imitation, and Secretiveness, it may 
inspire with a love of portrait-painting. Its 
range is limited also in proportion to the de- 
gree of the reflecting organs with which it is 
combined; these, without it, never inspire 
with a genius for mechanics, but, w T hen pos- 
sessed, they extend and facilitate its exer- 
tions.* In the lower animals, it appears to 
be directed, in a great measure, to one special 
object; in the bird to a particular form of 
nest, in the beaver to a special fashion of a 
hut, — -these animals being deficient in the ge- 
neralizing and directing powers conferred on 

* See Note F. 



ACQUISITIVENESS. 39 

man. The organ is indispensable to all who 
follow operative mechanical professions. It 
is large in the beaver, field-mouse, and other 
animals which build. The organ is large ia 
Raphael, Milliner of Vienna, Brunel, 
Williams, Haydon, Herschel, Wilkie, 
Edwards; and small in New Hollanders. — 
Established. 

8. Acquisitiveness. 

The organ is situated at the anterior infe- 
rior angle of the parietal bone. It was, by 
Spurzheim, called Covetiveness; Sir G. S. 
Mackenzie suggested the more appropriate 
name of Acquisitiveness. 

The faculty produces the tendency to ac- 
quire, and the desire to possess in general, 
without reference to the uses to which the 
objects, when attained, may be applied. The 
idea of property is founded on it. It takes its 
direction from other faculties, and hence may 
lead to collecting coins, paintings, minerals, 
and other objects of curiosity or science, as 
well as money. Idiots, under its influence, 
are known to collect things of no intrinsic 
value. A person in whom it is predominant, 
desires to acquire for the pleasure attending 



4& ACQUISITIVENESS. 

the mere act of acquisition. If he is owner 
of fifty acres, he will vastly delight in ob- 
taining fifty more; if of a hundred thousand, 
he will still rejoice in doubling their number. 
His understanding may be convinced that he 
already possesses even superfluity, and, ne- 
vertheless, under the vivid impulses of the 
faculty, he may eagerly pant for more, for its 
gratification. This instinctive tendency to ac- 
quire and to accumulate, is the foundation of 
wealth, and of the conveniencies and luxu- 
ries of civilized society. If men had always 
provided only what they could individually 
enjoy, they would never have emerged from 
the savage condition. Persons in whom the 
propensity is weak, think of every thing, 
and pursue every object, with more avidity 
than wealth; there is no intense vivacity in 
their pursuit of gain. Its abuse leads to co- 
vetousness, dishonesty, and theft. Avarice is 
the result of its predominating energy. 

The metaphysicians have not admitted such 
a propensity, but resolve the desire of acqui- 
sition into love of the objects which w r ealth 
may purchase. The Phrenological view is 
founded on observation, and accords better 
with the phenomena of actual life. Lord 



SECRETIVENESS. 41 

Kames, however, observes, that " Man is by 
" nature a hoarding animal r , having an appe- 
tite for storing up things of use; and the 
" sense of property is bestowed on men, for 
"securing to men what they thus store up." 
This author has also remarked, that the same 
instinct is possessed by the lower animals. 
"The beavers," says he, "perceive the tim- 
" ber they store up for food to be their pro- 
"perty; and the bees seem to have the same 
"perception with regard to their winter's 
" provision of honey." He continues, " The 
" appetite for property, in its nature a 
" great blessing, degenerates into a great 
'•'curse when it transgresses the bounds of 
"moderation." [Sketches, Book i. Sk. 2.) 
These observations are highly phrenological. 
The organ is large in Heaman; full in Rev. 
Mr. M.j and moderate in K. R. Bruce. — 
Established. 

9. Secretiveness. 

The organ is situated at the inferior edge 

of the parietal bones, immediately above De- 

structiveness, or in the middle of the lateral 

portion of the brain. 

The faculties of the human mind possess 
d 2 



42 SECRETIVENESS. 

spontaneous activity; hence various thoughts, 
desires, and emotions, arise involuntarily, the 
outward expression of which is not, in all 
circumstances, bcoming. Secretiveness pro- 
duces the instinctive tendency to conceal 
these, and to suppress their manifestations, 
till the understanding shall have decided on 
their propriety and probable consequences. 
Besides, man and animals are occasionally 
liable to the assaults of enemies, which may 
be avoided by concealment, in cases where 
strength is wanting to repel them by force. 
Nature, therefore, by means of this propensi- 
ty, enables them to act with prudence, sly- 
ness, or cunning, according to the dictates of 
the other faculties possessed by the individual, 
to their other means of defence. It may be 
applied in a great variety of ways; and a cer- 
tain portion of it is indispensable to the for- 
mation of a prudent character. It then im- 
poses a salutary restraint on the manifestations 
of the other faculties, and serves as a defence 
against prying curiosity. Those in whom it 
is deficient are too open for the intercourse of 
general society; they are characterized by a 
headlong bluntness of manner, and deficiency 
of tact, arising from the instantaneous expres- 



SECRETIVENESS. 43 

sion of each thought and emotion, as it flows 
on the mind, without regard to the delicacies 
required by time, place, or circumstances. 
Too great an endowment, on the other hand, 
when not regulated by strong intellect, and 
moral sentiments, produces abuses. The in- 
dividual then mistakes cunning for prudence 
and ability, and conceals every purpose of his 
life, trifling or momentous; and he may even 
be led to practise lying, duplicity, and de- 
ceit. It supplies the cunning necessary to 
theft, and by producing an inward feeling of 
extreme secrecy, lessens the fear of detection, 
and thus indirectly prompts to the commission 
of crime. I have found it large in a great 
number of habitual thieves. 

The organ has been found large in actors, 
and in those who excel in the imitative arts. 
Combined with Imitation, it gives the power 
of expression ; and, in actors, it may be con- 
ceived to do this, by furnishing its possessor 
with the power of practising a conscious du- 
plicity, a talent necessarily implied in the re- 
presentation of a variety of characters, or by 
restraining the particular faculties whose in- 
fluence requires to be withdrawn for the time. 
If we wish to deter a child from some act not 



44 SECRETIVENESS. 

very improper in itself, but which to him 
might be prejudicial, we feign anger and for- 
bid him; in this process Secretiveness proba- 
bly restrains Philoprogenitiveness and Be- 
nevolence, and permits the natural language 
of Combativeness and Destructiveness to ap- 
pear. When an actor performs Richard III. 
Secretiveness will suppress Benevolence, Ve- 
neration, and Conscientiousness, and allow 
ample scope to Combativeness, Destructive- 
ness, Firmness, and Love of Approbation. 
If this theory be correct, it will be by re- 
straining some faculties and permitting other 
to manifest themselves energetically, that Se- 
cretiveness will conduce to acting, as distin- 
guished from Imitation. This power of per- 
sonation is one of the ingredients in a talent 
for profound dissimulation and hypocrisy. 
Secretiveness is an element, along with the 
faculty of Wit, in a talent for hn?nour, and 
produces the sly concealment of real charac- 
ter, design or sentiment, which is essential to 
humorous representations. In writing, it 
leads to irony, which is a species of humour. 
It gives a sidelong glance, and watchful look, 
to the eye; and, when energetic, inspires the 
individual with a desire to discover the de» 



vriMEMS. 45 

signs of others, as well as to conceal his own. 
Mr. W. Scott has thrown great light on the 
functions of this faculty, in his Essay, pub- 
lished in the Phrenological Transactions. 

This propensity appears to have been un- 
known to the metaphysicians. Lord Bacon, 
however, in his Essay on Cunning, describes 
accurately many of its abuses. The organ is 
large in Raphael, Bruce, La Fontaine, 
and Clara Fisher; also in the American 
Indians, cunning debtors, David Haggart, 
Hindoos, Gibson, Macinnes; moderate in 
skull with organs marked. 



Genus II.— SENTIMENTS. 

These faculties, like those which we have 
already considered, do not form specific ideas, 
but produce merely a Sentiment; that is, a 
propensity, joined with an emotion, or feeling 
of a certain kind. Several of them are com- 
mon to man and the low r er animals; others 
are peculiar to man. The former shall be 
first treated of. 



4fr SELF-ESTEEM. 

1. Sentiments common to Man and the 
lower Animals. 

10. Self-Esteem. 

The organ is situated at the vertex or top 
of the head, a little above the posterior or 
sagittal angle of the parietal bones. 

This faculty produces the sentiment of 
Self-esteem or Self-love in general. A due 
endowment of it, like that of all other facul- 
ties, produces only good effects. It imparts 
that degree of satisfaction with self, which 
leaves the mind open to the enjoyment of 
the bounties of Providence, and the amenities 
of life, and inspires it with that degree of 
confidence in its own powers, which essen- 
tially contributes to their successful applica- 
tion. In general, it leads to esteem of the 
special propensities and sentiments which 
characterize the individual in whom it is 
powerful; and hence, when combined with 
the superior sentiments and intellect, in a 
state of vigour, it contributes to true dignity 
and greatness of mind, and the individual es- 
teems himself for those qualities which are 
really worthy of the esteem of others, — in- 



SELF-ESTEEM. 47 

tellectual and moral excellence. It also aids 
in maintaining virtuous conduct, by commu- 
nicating the feeling of self-respect. A defi- 
ciency of it produces a want of confidence, 
and of a proper estimate of what is due to 
one's self. It is only when possessed in an 
inordinate degree, and indulged without re- 
straint from the higher faculties, that it pro- 
duces abuses. It may, then, in children show 
itself in pettishness, and a wilful temper; and, 
in adults, in arrogance, conceit, pride, ego- 
tism, and it is an ingredient in Envy. There 
are persons who are exceedingly censorious, 
whose conversation is habitually directed to 
their neighbours' faults, who feel sore when 
others are elevated, and experience great 
pleasure in bringing them down; — such ten- 
dencies proceed from Self-Esteern and De- 
structiveness, not directed by Benevolence 
and Justice. The bitter and envious tone, 
the sententious reflections, and the ill-con- 
cealed self-complacency of such persons, all 
indicate an internal adulation of self, and a 
vivid desire of superiority, by depreciating 
others. Children, in hooting and pelting an 
idiot, gratify Self-Esteem and Destructive- 
ness. Their chief motive is a strong sense 



48 SELF-ESTEEM. 

of their own superiority. Self-esteem corres- 
ponds, in some measure, to the Desire of 
Power of the metaphysicians. Dr. Thomas 
Brown calls it "Pride," and defines it as 
"that feeling of vivid pleasure which attends 
u the consciousness of our excellence," vol. iii. 
p. 300. When very large, the individual walks 
generally in an erect posture, and by his re- 
served and authoritative manner, induces the 
impression in others, that he considers himself 
infinitely elevated above his fellow T men. It 
disposes to the use of the emphatic I in writing 
and conversation. Joined with Acquisitive- 
ness, and not regulated by other sentiments, 
it produces "Selfishness" in the general ac- 
ceptation of this term. 

Nations differ in regard to the degree in 
which they possess this sentiment. The Eng-' 
lish have more of it than the French, and 
hence the manner of a genuine Englishman 
appears to a Frenchman cold, haughty, and 
supercilious. The lower animals, such as the 
turkey-cock, peacock, horse, &c. manifest 
feelings resembling pride or self-esteem. 
When the organ becomes excited by disease, 
the individual is prone to imagine himself a 
king, emperor, or a transcendent genius, and 



LOVE OF APPROBATION. 49 

some have fancied themselves even the Su- 
preme Being. The organ is large in Hag- 
gart, the Hindoos, Dempsey; moderate in 
Dr. Hette, and the American Indians. — Es- 
tablished. 

11. Love of Approbation. 

This organ is situated on each side of that 
of Self-Esteem, and commences about half an 
inch from the lambdoidal suture. 

The faculty produces the love of the es- 
teem of others, expressed in praise or appro- 
bation. A due endowment of it is indispen- 
sable to an amiable character. It induces ifs 
possessor to make active exertions to please 
others, and also to suppress numberless little 
manifestations of selfishness, and to restrain 
many peculiarities of temper and disposition, 
from the dread of incurring their disapproba- 
tion. It is the butt upon which Wit strikes, 
when, by means of ridicule, it drives us from 
our follies. To be laughed at is worse than 
death to a person in whom this sentiment is 
predominant. The direction in which grati- 
fication will be sought, depends on the other 
faculties with which it is combined in the in- 
dividual. If the moral sentiments and intel- 

E 



50 LOVE 01' APPROBATION. 

lect be vigorous, it will desire an honourable 
fame, and hence animates and excites the 
poet, painter, orator, warrior, and statesman. 
If the lower propensities predominate, the 
individual may be pleased by the reputation 
of being the best fighter, or the greatest 
drinker of his circle. 

When too energetic, and not regulated by 
the higher powers, it produces great abuses; 
it then gives rise to a fidgetty anxiety about 
what others will think of us, which is at once 
subversive of happiness and independence. 
It renders the mere dicta of the society in 
which the individual moves, his code of mo- 
rality, religion, taste, and philosophy; and 
incapacitates him from upholding truth or vir- 
tue, if disowned by those whom he imagines 
influential or genteel. It then overwhelms 
the artist, author, or public speaker, with 
misery, if a rival is praised in the journals in 
higher terms than himself. A lady is then 
tormented at perceiving, in the possession of 
her acquaintance, finer dresses or equipages 
than her own. It excites the individual to 
talk of himself, his affairs, and connexions, 
so as to communicate to the auditor vast ideas 
of his greatness or goodness; in short, vanity 



LOVE OF APPROBATION. 51 

is one form of its abuse. " Sir," says Dr. 
Johnson, " Goldsmith is so much afraid of 
"being unnoticed, that he often talks, mere- 
ly lest you should forget that he is in the 
" company." When not combined with Con- 
scientiousness and Benevolence, it leads to 
feigned professions of respect and friendship; 
and many manifest it by promises and invita- 
tions, never intended to be fulfilled or accept- 
ed. It, as well as Self-Esteem, prompts to 
the use of the first person, but its tone is that 
of courteous solicitation, while the /of Self- 
Esteem is presumptuous, and full of preten- 
sion. 

When, on the other hand, the organ is defi- 
cient, and the sentiment, in consequence, is 
feeble, the individual cares little about the 
opinions entertained of him by others; and 
provided they have not the power to punish 
his person, or abridge his possessions, he is 
capable of laughing at their censures, and 
contemning their applause. Persons of this 
sort, if endowed with the selfish propensities 
in a strong degree, constitute what are termed 
"impracticable" men; their whole feelings 
are concentrated in Self, and they are dead to 
the motives which might induce them to abate 



§2 LOVE OF APPROBATION. 

one iota of their own pretensions to oblige 
others. 

The disposition to oblige, conferred by this 
sentiment, may be distinguished from the ge- 
nuine kindness which springs from Benevo- 
lence, by this, that the Love of Approbation 
prompts its possessor to do most for those 
who, from superiority in rank, wealth, power, 
or reputation, least require his aid; whereas 
Benevolence takes exactly the opposite direc- 
tion. The two sentiments, when both vigo- 
rous, greatly aid each other. 

The organ is larger in women in general 
than in men. The French are more remarka- 
ble for a larger development of it than of Self- 
Esteem; and on this account appear to the 
English, in whom the latter faculty predo- 
minates, vain, ostentatious, and absurdly com- 
plimentary. This organ is uniformly large 
in bashful individuals; one element of this 
disposition being the fear of incurring disap- 
probation. The metaphysicians admit thq 
sentiment, under the name of the Desire of 
Esteem. It is very powerful in some of the 
lower animals, as the dog, horse, &c. The 
organ is large in Bruce, Dr. Hette, Ame- 



CAUTIOUSNESS. 53 

rican Indians, Clara Fisher; deficient in 
D. Haggart and Dempsey. — Established. 

12. Cautiousness. 

This organ is situated near the middle of 
each parietal bone, where the ossification of 
the bone generally commences. 

The faculty produces the emotion of fear in 
general, and prompts its possessor to take 
care, and hence it is named Cautiousness. A 
due degree of it is essential to a prudent cha- 
racter. The tendency of it is, to make the 
individual in whom it is strong hesitate be* 
fore he acts, and, from apprehending danger, 
to trace consequences, that he may be assured 
of his safety. When too powerful, it pro- 
duces doubts, irresolution, and wavering. 
When deficient, the individual is not appre- 
hensive about the results of his conduct, and 
often proceeds to act without mature delibera- 
tion. The involuntary activity, from inter- 
nal causes, of this organ, in those in whom it 
is too powerful, produces sensations of dread 
and apprehension, gloomy despondency, or 
even despair, without an adequate external 
cause. A great and involuntary, but momen- 
tary activity of it, occasions a panic, a state 



54 CAUTIOUSNESS. 

in which the mind is hurried away by an ir- 
resistible emotion of fear, disproportioned to 
the outward occasion. The organs are ge- 
nerally largely developed in children; and, in 
in some instances, are so prominent, as to 
alarm mothers with the fear of disease or de- 
formity. Such children may be safely trusted 
to take care of themselves; they will rarely 
be found in danger. When, on the other 
hand, the organs are small in a child, he will 
be a hapless infant ; fifty keepers will not sup- 
ply the want of the instinctive guardianship 
performed by adequate Cautiousness. This 
is another element in the formation of a bash- 
ful character, and produces the timidity es- 
sential to it. Many of the lower animals, as 
the hare, rook, &c, possess the organ largely 
developed; among them, it is generally larger 
in the female than in the male; and naturalists 
have observed, that more of the latter are 
snared, and taken or killed by the hunter, 
than of the former, even allowing for the na- 
tural difference between their original num- 
bers. The organ is large in Bruce., Ra- 
phael, Hette, the Mummies, and Hindoos; 
moderate in Bellingham, Mary Macin- 
K£s, and Negroes. — Established. 



BENEVOLENCE. 55 

13. Benevolence. 

This organ is situated at the upper part of 
the frontal bone, in the coronal aspect, and 
immediately before the fontanel. 

The faculty produces the desire of the Hap- 
piness of others, and disposes to compassion 
and active Benevolence. It communicates 
mildness and cheerfulness to the temper, and 
disposes the possessor to view charitably the 
actions and character of others. When abused, 
it leads to profusion. A small development 
of the organ does not produce cruelty as its 
proper function, but only indifference to the 
welfare of others ; when, however, Destruc- 
tiveness is large, and this organ small, cruelty 
may result from the uncontrolled activity and 
abuse of the former. The lower animals pos- 
sess this organ, but the faculty in them seems 
to be limited, in a great degree, to the pro- 
duction of passive mildness of disposition. 
Dogs, horses, monkeys, &c. which have the 
corresponding part of the forehead large and 
elevated, are mild and pacific; those, on the 
other hand, in which it is small and depressed, 
are ill-natured. It is depressed in all the fe- 
rocious tribes of animals, and also in nations 



56 BENEVOLENCE. 

remarkable for cruelty, as the Charibs, &c. 
The ancients make the top of the forehead 
much higher in Seneca than in Nero. 

It has been objected, that Nature cannot 
have placed a faculty of Benevolence, and 
another of Destructiveness, in the same mind; 
but Man is confessedly an assemblage of con- 
tradictions. The great unknown Novelist, 
speaks of "the well known cases of those 
" men of undoubted benevolence of character 
"and disposition, whose principal delight is 
" to see a miserable criminal, degraded alike 
" by his previous crimes, and the sentence 
" w r hich he has incurred, conclude a vicious 
" and a wretched life, by an ignominious 
"and cruel death." (St Ronan's Well). 
This indicates Benevolence coexisting in the 
same individual with Destructiveness. The 
greatest of Poets has said,— 

" O thou goddess, 
°Thou divine nature, how thyself thou blazon'st 
"In these two princely boys! They are &s gentle 
" As zephyrs, blowing below the violet, 
"Not wagging his sweet head; and yet as rough, 
"Their royal blood enchaf'd, as the rud'st wind, 
"That by the top doth take the mountain-pine, 
"And make him stoop to the vale." 

Here Shakspeare informs us, that these 
boys manifested much Combativeness and De~ 



BENEVOLENT 57 

structiveness, combined with great Benevo- 
lence. The Sword is one of the emblems of 
State, and what is it but the symbol of De- 
struction ready to fall on the heads of those 
who offend against the Laws? — ministering 
thus, in its very severity, to purposes of Be- 
nevolence and Justice. What are the imple- 
ments of war but instruments of Destruction; 
and for what end do soldiers take the field, 
but to destroy their enemies? And yet, sur- 
geons and numerous assistants attend on ar- 
mies, to succour those on whom the calami- 
ties of war have fallen; the two faculties, 
which are deemed incpmpatible, being thus 
manifested together, with deliberate design. 
Without Combativeness and Destructiveness, 
there would be no war; and without Benevo- 
lence, if these existed, there would be neither 
mercy nor compassion. Instead, therefore, 
of the coexistence of these faculties forming 
an objection to the Phrenological system, it 
proves its harmony with Nature. The organ 
is large in Jacob Jervies, Henri Quatre, 
Raphael, Hette; very small in Belling- 
ham, Griffiths, and the Charibs ; moderate 
in Bruce, and Gordon. — Established. 



58 VENERATION. 

II. Sentiments proper to Man. 

Hitherto we have considered Man so far as 
he is animal. But, besides the organs and 
faculties already spoken of, common to him 
with the brutes, he is endowed with a variety 
of sentiments, which constitute the human 
character, and of which the lower creatures 
are entirely destitute; and the parts which 
constitute the organs of these faculties are not 
to be found in the brains of the latter. The 
faculties now to be treated of produce emo- 
tions or feelings, but do not form ideas. 

14. Veneration. 

This organ is situated at the middle of the 
coronal aspect of the brain, at the bregma or 
fontanel of anatomists. 

The faculty produces the sentiment of re- 
spect and reverence; and when directed to 
the Supreme Being, leads to adoration. It 
predisposes to religious feeling, without de- 
termining the manner in which it ought to be 
directed ; so that if the understanding be very 
unenlightened, it may be gratified with the 
worship even of images or idols. It is the 
source also of the tendency to look up to and 



VENERATION. 5<J 

admire superiors in rank and power; and, in 
this way, disposes to obedience. It gives 
rise to the profound emotions of respect expe- 
rienced by many when looking on the ruins 
of a palace or temple, the graves of their fore- 
fathers, or the former habitations of men emi- 
nent for genius or virtue. It enters largely 
into the constitution of a devoted antiquary. 
It is also the chief element in filial piety. 
When the organ is large, and that of Self- 
Esteem small, humility is the result. 

A deficiency of it does not produce pro- 
fanity, as a positive manifestation; it only 
renders the mind little sensible to the respect- 
ful and reverential feelings before described, 
and in consequence, leaves the other faculties 
at liberty to act without modification by its 
influence. When too energetic, and not en- 
lightened by intellect, it produces supersti- 
tious respect for objects and opinions which 
have nothing but their antiquity to recom- 
mend them, and renders its possessor prone 
to venerate every ancient absurdity, as the 
*' wisdom of our ancestors." In this way, it 
often presents the most formidable obstacles 
to improvements attended with innovation. 

The metaphysicians do not treat of this sen- 



60 VENERATION. 

timent under the same name, nor in the same 
point of view as the foregoing. Dr. Thomas 
Brown, however, when writing of Pride and 
Humility, mentions a " tendency to look 
"above rather than below,** (vol. iii. p. 313.), 
which is one effect of veneration. Authors 
who have written on natural religion, say, 
that we perceive order, beauty, power, wis- 
dom, and harmony, displayed in the works 
of creation, and hence infer, that a Deity 
exists. In this view, the Phrenologists agree; 
but the understanding only perceives facts, 
and draws inferences; and, therefore, after 
this induction is completed, it experiences no 
tendency to adore the God whom it has dis- 
covered. In point of fact, however, the ten- 
dency to worship is a stronger principle in 
the human mind than the understanding itself, 
for the stupid and ignorant are often prone to 
venerate, while their reflecting faculties are 
incapable of directing them to an object wor- 
thy of their homage. The existence of the 
sentiment of Veneration, distinct from intel- 
lect, explains this anomaly. Sceptical wri- 
ters, in general, appear either to have been 
unacquainted with it, or to have judged ex- 
pedient to pass it over without notice. It* 



HOPE. 61 

existence shows that Religion has a founda- 
tion in nature. — The organ is large in the Ne- 
groes, Raphael, Bruce, Kapitapole, 
Martin; small in Dr. Hette. — Established. 

15. Hope. 

This organ is situated on each side of that 
of veneration, and extends under part of the 
frontal and part of the parietal bones. 

The faculty produces the sentiment of Hope 
in general, or the tendency to believe in the 
possibility of what the other faculties desire, 
but without giving the conviction of it, which 
depends on Reflection. It inspires with gay, 
fascinating, and delightful emotions, painting 
futurity fair and smiling as the regions of pri- 
meval bliss. It gilds and adorns every pros* 
pect with shades of enchanting excellence; 
while Cautiousness hangs clouds and mists 
over distant objects, seen by the Mind's eye. 
When too energetic and predominant, it dis- 
poses to Credulity, and, in mercantile men, 
leads to rash and inconsiderate speculation. 
Persons so endowed never see their own situ- 
ation in its true light, but are led by their ex- 
travagant Hope to magnify ten-fold every ad- 
vantage, while they are blind to every obsta- 

F 



62 HOPE. 

cle and abatement. They promise largely, 
but rarely perform. Intentional guile, how- 
ever, is frequently not their object; — they 
are deceived themselves, by their constitu- 
tional tendency to believe every thing possi- 
ble that is future, and promise in the spirit of 
this credulity. Those who perceive the dis- 
position in them, ought to make the necessary 
abatement in their expectations. When the 
organ is very deficient, and that of Cautious- 
ness large, a gloomy despondency is apt to 
invade the mind. 

In Religion, this faculty favours the exer- 
cise of Faith ; and by producing the natural 
tendency to look forward to futurity with ex- 
pectation, disposes to belief in a life to come. 
It is treated of by the metaphysicians. The 
discovery of the organ and sentiment is due 
to Dr. Spurzheim, for Dr. Gall has not yet 
admitted them. In his works, the function 
of the part of the brain in question is marked 
as unascertained. His notion is, that Hope 
is the attribute of every faculty; but he ap- 
pears to mistake Desire for Hope. Every fa- 
culty desires, but each does not produce 
Hope ; nay, Desire is sometimes strong, when 
Hope is feeble or extinct ; a criminal on the 



IDEALITY. 63 

scaffold may strongly desire to live, when he 
has no hope of escaping death. I am con- 
vinced, by many observations, that Dr. Spurz- 
beim's views are correct, and now regard 
the organ as established. It is large in Ra- 
phael, small in Dr. Hette. 

16. Ideality. 

This organ is situated nearly along the 
lower edge of the temporal ridge of the fron- 
tal bone. 

The faculty produces the feeling of exqui- 
siteness and perfectibility, and delights in the 
" beau ideal." The knowing and reflecting 
faculties perceive qualities as they exist in 
nature; but this faculty desires something 
more exquisitely lovely, perfect, and admira- 
ble, than the scenes of reality. It tends to 
elevate and endow with splendid excellence 
every object conceived by the mind; and 
stimulates the other faculties to create scenes 
and objects invested with the qualities which 
it delights to contemplate, rather than with 
the degree of perfection which Nature usually 
bestows. It is this faculty which inspires 
with exaggeration and enthusiasm, which 
prompts to embellishment and splendid con- 



04 IDEALITY, 

ceptions. When powerful, it gives a manner 
of feeling and of thinking befitting the re- 
gions of fancy more than the abodes of men, 
(Phrenological Journal, vol. ii. p. 147.) It 
is essential to the poet, painter, sculptor, and 
all who cultivate the fine arts. It corresponds 
to the Emotion of Beauty of Dr. Thomas 
Brown, (vol. iii. p. 134.) A good endow- 
ment of it elevates and expands the other 
feelings and conceptions, directs them to 
higher objects than those which would be suf- 
ficient to gratify themselves, and thus gives 
a constant tendency to, and capacity for, re- 
finement. A great deficiency of it leaves the 
mind in a state of homeliness or simplicity, 
varying its appearances according to the other 
faculties which predominate in the individual. 
The organ is larger in civilized than in savage 
nations; in the European, for example, than 
in the Negro, American Indian, and New 
Hollander. Milton, Shakspeare, and By- 
ron's poetry abound with its influence; that 
of Cr abbe has less; and it is scarcely distin- 
guishable in the verses of Dean Swift. The 
organ is large in Raphael, Voltaire, 
Wordsworth, Wilkle, Burke, Haydon, 
Henri Quatre, Eran$ois Cordonnier; 



WONDER. 65 

small in New Hollanders, Mr. Hume, Bel- 
lingham, Haggart, Gordon. Estab- 
lished. 

Wonder. 

Immediately above Ideality, a blank space 
appears in the busts and plates of the head; 
the function of this part of the brain was not 
ascertained when the other organs were num- 
bered, and it therefore was left unmarked. 

Dr. Spurzheim states, that the faculty con- 
nected with this organ produces the tendency 
to believe in inspirations, presentiments, 
phantoms, &c. In his French works he 
named it " Surnaturalite;" but now calls it 
the Sentiment of the Marvellous, or Marvel- 
lousness. I have met with persons exces- 
sively fond of news, which, if extravagant, 
were the more acceptable; prone to the ex- 
pression of surprise and astonishment in ordi- 
nary discourse; deeply affected by tales of 
wonder; delighting in the Arabian Nights' 
Entertainment, and the mysterious incidents 
abounding in the Waverley Novels; and in 
them I have uniformly found the part of the 
brain in question largely developed. When the 
organ predominates in an individual, there is 



66 WONDER. 

a peculiar and unconscious turning up of the 
exterior angles of the eyelashes, expressive of 
surprise. In other persons, I have found the 
part of the brain in question small, and in 
them it was accompanied with a staid sober- 
ness of feeling, diametrically the opposite of 
the manifestations above described. Such in- 
dividuals were annoyed by every thing new 
or strange; they scarcely felt or expressed 
surprise, and had no taste for narratives leav- 
ing the beaten track of probability or reality, 
and soaring into the regions of supernatural 
fiction. On analysing these manifestations, 
they all appear to be referable to the senti- 
ment of Wonder, an emotion which is quite 
distinguishable from those hitherto enume- 
rated. This sentiment, in a state of extreme 
and uncontrolled energy, probably gave rise 
to those extraordinary feelings and disturbed 
imaginations which led Dr. Spurzheim at 
first to name the faculty " Surnaturalite." 
The name which he now uses coincides in 
meaning with that which I have ventured to 
propose; and regarding the function of the 
organ itself, there is no essential difference 
between us. 

Dr. Adam Smith, in the history of Astro- 



WONDER. 67 

nomy, calls Wonder a Sentiment, and Dr. 
Thomas Brown, vol. iii. p. 59, admits it as 
a primitive emotion, and contends with suc- 
cess, that Surprise and Wonder are essentially 
the same feeling, only excited by different 
objects or occurrences. We wonder at a 
comet, from its novelty; we are surprised to 
meet a friend in Edinburgh whom we be- 
lieved to be in London; but it is the novel 
and unexpected situation in which we see 
him that causes the surprise, and not the ap- 
pearance itself. Dr. Brown distinguishes the 
emotion of Wonder from those of Beauty 
and Grandeur, and very justly observes, 
" that we may be struck at the same time 
•*• with the beauty or grandeur of a new ob- 
ject, and our mixed emotion of the novelty 
H and beauty combined will obtain the name 
u of Admiration" P. 57. — Some men's in- 
tellects do not easily or accurately discrimi- 
nate between the possible and the impossible; 
— this probably arises from the predominance 
of Wonder over Causality and Conscientious- 
ness. — Probable. 



68 CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 

17. Conscientiousness. 

This organ is situated on the posterior and 
lateral parts of the coronal surface of the 
brain, upwards from Cautiousness, and back- 
wards from Hope. In Dr. Gall's Plates, 
the function is marked as unascertained. Dr. 
Spurzheim discovered that it is connected 
with Conscientiousness. In his English 
work, published in 1815, he mentions this 
function as probable; but many subsequent 
observations authorize me to state it as ascer- 
tained. 

The faculty produces the feeling of obliga- 
tion, incumbency, right and wrong, for which 
we have no single definite expression in the 
English language; just as Ideality produces 
the sentiment of Beauty. Justice is the re- 
sult of this sentiment, acting in combination 
with the intellectual powers. The latter in- 
vestigate the motives and consequences of 
actions; but, after having done so, they, of 
themselves, experience no emotions. In sur- 
veying human conduct, however, as soon as 
the intellect has thoroughly penetrated into 
the springs from which it proceeds, a feeling 
of decided approval or condemnation, dis- 



CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 6?) 

t-inct from all other sentiments, and from 
pure intellection, arises in the mind; and 
this is produced by the faculty of Conscien- 
tiousness. A large endowment of it is of the 
highest importance in regulating the conduct. 
The individual is then disposed to act justly 
from the love of justice; he is delighted with 
the observance of right, and disgusted with 
the doing of wrong: he is inclined to form 
equitable judgments of the motives and con- 
duct of others; is scrupulous, and, when de- 
serving of censure, is as ready to condemn 
himself as his neighbour. When the organ, 
on the other hand, is small, the power of ex- 
periencing the sentiment is feeble, and the 
individual, in consequence, is more prone to 
do an unprincipled action, if tempted by in- 
terest or inclination. He experiences a diffi- 
culty both in perceiving the quality of justice 
itself, and in feeling the imperious obligations 
of duty, arising from itsdictates. Such persons, 
taking their own mind as types of those of 
the human race, imagine that the rest of the 
world is carrying on a solemn farce, in be- 
lieving in the immutable distinction of right 
and wrong, and trusting in the ultimate tri- 
umph of truth and justice over insolence ami 



70 CONSCIENTIOUSNESS, 

fraud; they regard as eminently weak, those 
individuals who adopt such views as practical 
maxims; and conceive themselves to have at- 
tained to an extraordinary depth of penetra- 
tion, in discovering that those notions spring 
from senseless enthusiasm, and that selfish- 
ness, disguised occasionally by a show of ge- 
nerosity, is the real origin and object of human 
actions. To such men, Phrenologists, and all 
who espouse unfashionable opinions, merely 
because they are true, and rely on their truth 
for their success, appear extremely deficient 
in practical sense and knowledge of the world. 
In point of fact, however, the pretensions to 
superior sagacity, in such cases, are founded 
on a great moral imperfection; and indicate 
lamentable weakness in an important mental 
function, instead of depth and superior illu- 
mination. Remorse is a painful affection of 
this sentiment, occasioned by conduct in op- 
position to its dictates. In the Essays on 
Phrenology I stated that Gratitude probably 
arises from this faculty; but Sir G. S. Mac- 
kenzie, in his Illustrations of Phrenology, 
has showed, that " Gratitude is much height- 
" ened by Benevolence," — a view in which 
I now fully acquiesce. 



CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 71 

Some metaphysical writers admit this sen- 
timent, and others deny it, apparently just as 
it was strong or weak in their own minds. 
Dr. Thomas Brown maintains its existence 
with great eloquence and success; and his 
views accord, in a remarkable degree, with 
those brought to light by Phrenological obser- 
vations. The only point in which his know- 
ledge appears to have been defective, is, that 
it is possessed, in very different degrees of 
strength, by different individuals, according 
as the organ is large or small.* The organ 

* I embrace this opportunity of paying a humble tri- 
bute to the talents of the late Dr. Thomas Brown. 
The acuteness, depth, and comprehensiveness of intel- 
lect displayed in his works on the Mind, place him in the 
highest rank of philosophical authors; and these great 
qualities are equalled by the purity and vividness of his 
moral perceptions. His powers of analysis are unrival- 
led, and his eloquence is frequently splendid. His 
"Lectures" will remain a monument of what the human 
mind was capable of accomplishing, in investigating its 
own constitution by an imperfect method. In propor- 
tion as Phrenology becomes kno%n, the admiration of 
his genius will increase ; for it is the highest praise to 
say, that, in regard to many points of great difficulty 
and importance in the Philosophy of mind, he has ar- 
rived, by his own reflections, at conclusions harmonizing 
with those obtained by Phrenological observation. Of 



72 FIRMNESS. 

is large in Hette, Mrs. H.; small in Bruce, 
Haggart, Bellingham, Gibson, and in 
the skulls of most of the savage tribes. 

IS. Firmness. 

This organ is situated at the posterior part 
of the coronal surface of the head, close upon 
the middle line. 

It is difficult to analyze and distinguish the 
ultimate principle of the faculty. Its effects are 
sometimes mistaken for Will; because those 
in whom it is large are prone to use the 
phrase, " I will/ 5 with great emphasis, which 
is the natural language of determination; but 
this sentiment is different from proper voli- 
tion. It produces determination, constancy, 
and perseverance. Fortitude, as distinguish- 

this, his doctrine on the moral emotion discussed in the 
text, is a striking instance. Sometimes, indeed, his ar- 
guments are subtle, his distinctions too refined; and his 
style is circuitous; but the Phrenologist will pass lightly 
over these imperfections, for they occur only occasion- 
ally, and arise from m*re excess of the faculties of Se- 
cretiveness, Comparison, Causality, and Wit ; on a great 
endowment of which, along with Concentrativeness, his 
penetration and Concentrativeness depended. In fact, 
he possessed the organs of these powers largely deve- 
loped, and they afford a key to his genius. 



FIRMNESS. 73 

cd from active courage, results from it. When 
powerful, it gives a fixed, forcible, and em- 
phatic manner to the gait, and a correspond- 
ing tone to the voice. It is indispensable to 
the attainment of excellence in any difficult de- 
partment of art, science, or business. It gives, 
however, perseverance only in manifesting the 
faculties which are possessed by the individual 
in adequate strength. A person with great 
Firmness, and much Tune, may persevere in 
making music: diminish the Tune, so as to 
render him insensible to melody, and he will 
not persevere in that attempt; but if he have 
great Causality, he may then be constant in 
abstract study. When too energetic, and not 
well directed, it produces obstinacy, stub- 
bornness, and infatuation. When weak, the 
individual is prone to yield to the impulses 
of his predominating feelings. If Benevo- 
lence assumes the sway, he is all kindness; 
if Combativeness and Destructiveness are for- 
cibly excited, he falls headlong into passion, 
outrage, and violence. He also experiences 
great difficulty in steadily pursuing any line 
of action, and is prone to deviate from his 
object, when assailed either by internal fickle- 
ness or external solicitations. The metaphy- 

G 



74 EXTERNAL SENSES. 

sicians appear not to have been acquainted 
with this sentiment. — The organ is large in 
Bruce, Haggart, American Indians; small 
in Mrs. H. and Gibson. — Established. 



Order II. 
INTELLECTUAL FACULTIES. 

These faculties communicate to man and 
animals knowledge of their own internal sen- 
sations, and also of the external world; and 
their object is to know existence, and to per- 
ceive qualities and relations. They consist 
of three genera; the first includes the Five 
Senses; the second, those powers which take 
cognizance of external objects ; named Know- 
ing or Perceptive Faculties; and the third, 
the faculties which trace abstract relations, 
and reason, or reflect. 

Genus I. — External Senses. 

By means of the five Senses, man and ani- 
mals are brought into communication with the 
external world. 



EXTERNAL SENSES. 75 

Each sense has two organs, but a single 
impression is received by the mind from af- 
fections of them. Various theories have been 
formed to account for this circumstance. Drs. 
Gall and Spurzheim are of opinion, that 
only one of the organs of a sense is active at 
the same time, and that they alternately act 
and rest. Thus, if we look through specta- 
cles having one glass yellow and another blue, 
external objects will not appear green, as has 
been reported by philosophers, and believed 
by the public; but, if the glasses are equally 
thick, and equally transparent, they will be 
seen blue or yellow, according as we look 
fixedly with the one eye or the other. If one 
of the glasses is thinner or more transparent 
than the other, it will give its colour to the 
objects perceived. Another explanation may 
be found in the fact, that the mind has no 
consciousness either of the existence of the 
organs of sense, or of the functions performed 
by them. Hence, the perceptions of the mind 
are always directed to the objects which make 
the impressions, and not to the instruments 
by means of which they are experienced; and 
the mental affection partakes of the unity of 
the object exciting it, and not of the duplicity 



7G EXTERNAL SENSES. 

of the organs through which the impression 
is transmitted. 

The functions of every sense depend only 
on its peculiar organization; and hence no 
preceding exercise or habit is necessary, in 
order to acquire the special power of any 
sense. If the organization be perfect, the 
functions are perfect also; and, if the former 
be diseased, the latter are deranged, notwith- 
standing all preceding exercise. Each sense 
is subject to its own positive laws. For ex- 
ample, we see according to the laws of the 
refraction of light; and hence a straight rod, 
half plunged in water, appears crooked, al- 
though touch proves that, in this situation, it 
continues straight. This is a kind of rectifi- 
cation; but it must not be confounded with 
the doctrine which maintains, that one sense 
acquires its functions by means of another. 
Touch may show, that a rod, which is plunged 
in water, and looks crooked, is straight; but 
the eyes will see it crooked as before. The 
rectifications thus effected by the senses are 
mutual, and not the prerogative of one sense. 
In this view, the eyes may rectify the sense 
of touch. If, without our knowledge, a piece 
©f thin paper be placed betwixt one of oar 



EXTERNAL SENSES. 77 

fingers and the thumb, we may not feel but 
we may see it. Even smell and taste may 
rectify the senses of seeing and touch. Thus, 
many fluids look like water; and it would be 
impossible to discover them to be different by 
the sense of touch; but it is easy to do so by 
smell and taste. 

It is difficult to point out accurately the pre- 
cise limits of the functions of the senses, be- 
cause in every act of perception, their instru- 
mentality is combined with that of the inter- 
nal faculties. The senses themselves do not 
form ideas. For example, when an impres- 
sion is made upon the hand, the organs of the 
touch there situated receive it, and transmit it 
to the brain, and a faculty of the mi?id } 
through the instrumentality of another organ, 
perceives the object. Hence, previously to 
every perception, there must be an antecedent 
impression on the organs of sense; and the 
whole functions of these organs consist in re- 
ceiving and transmitting this impression to 
the organs of the internal faculties. The or- 
gans of sense, in a state of health, never pro- 
duce the impressions which result from their 
activity, except when excited by an external 
cause. Hence, whatever perceptions or im- 

G 2 



78 FEELING OR TOUCH. 

pressiona, received from external objects, can 
be recalled, by an act of volition, cannot de- 
pend exclusively upon the senses; because 
we cannot excite them by an act of volition. 
On the other hand, whatever impression we 
are unable to recall by an act of the Will, 
must depend on the senses alone; for we are 
able to reproduce at pleasure ideas formed by 
our internal and intellectual faculties. 

After these general considerations, which 
apply to all the external senses, a few words 
may be added on the specific functions of 
each sense in particular. 

Feeling or Touch. 
Dr. Spurzheim inferred from pathological 
facts, that the nerves of motion must be dis- 
tinct from the nerves of feeling; and subse- 
quent experiments have proved his inference 
to be well founded. The sense of feeling is 
continued, not only over the whole external 
surface of the body, but even over the intes- 
tinal canal. It gives rise to the sensations of 
pain and pleasure: of the variations of tem- 
perature ; and of dryness and moisture. These 
cannot be recalled by the will; and I there- 
fore consider them as depending on the sense 



SMELL. 

alone. The impressions made upon this sense 
serve as the means of exciting in the mind 
perceptions of figure, of roughness and smooth- 
ness, and numerous other classes of ideas; 
but the power of experiencing these percep- 
tions, is in proportion to the perfection of 
certain internal faculties, and of the sense of 
touch jointly, and not in proportion to the 
perfection of this sense alone. 

Taste. 

The functions of this sense are, to produce 
sensations of taste alone; and these cannot be 
recalled by the will. We may judge of the 
qualities of external bodies by means of the 
impressions made on this sense; but to form 
ideas of such qualities is the province of the 
internal faculties. 

Smell. 
By means of smell, the external world acts 
upon man and animals from a distance. Odo- 
rous particles are conveyed from bodies, and 
inform sentient beings of the existence of the 
substances from which they emanate. The 
functions of smell are confined to the produc- 
ing of agreeable or disagreeable sensations, 



80 SIGHT. 

when the organ is so affected. These cannot 
be reproduced by an effort of the will. Va- 
rious ideas are formed of the qualities of ex- 
ternal bodies, by the impressions which they 
make upon this sense; but these ideas are 
formed by the internal faculties of the mind. 

Hearing. 
In new-born children this sense is not yet 
active; but it improves by degrees, and in 
proportion as the vigour of the organ in- 
creases. Its proper function is the produc- 
tion of the impressions called Sounds; yet it 
assists a great number of internal faculties. 
The auditory nerve has a more intimate con- 
nexion with the organs of the moral senti- 
ments than with those of the intellectual fa- 
culties. 

Sight. 

This fifth and last of the senses, is the se- 
cond of those which inform man and animals 
of remote objects, by means of an interme- 
dium; and which, in this instance, is Light. 

This sense has been said to acquire its func- 
tions by touch or by habit. But vision de- 
pends on the organization of the eye; and is 



SIGHT. HI 

weak or energetic as the organization is im- 
perfect or perfect. Some animals come into 
the world with perfect eyes; and these see 
distinctly from the first. The young chicken 
is guided,, immediately on escaping from the 
shell, by the sense of sight, and the sparrow, 
©n taking its first flight from the nest, does 
not strike its head against a w r all, or mistake 
the root of a tree for its branches; and yet, 
previously to their first attempts, these ani- 
mals can have no experience of distance. On 
the other hand, animals which come into the 
world with eyes in an imperfect state, distin- 
guish size, shape, and distance only by de- 
grees. This last is the case with new-born 
children. During the first six weeks after 
birth, their eyes are almost insensible to 
light; and it is only by degrees that they be- 
come fit to perform their natural functions. 
When the organs, however, are matured, 
children see, without the aid of habit or edu- 
cation, in the same manner, and as accurately, 
as the greatest philosopher. The eye only re- 
ceives, modifies, and transmits the impressions 
of light ; and internal faculties, form concep- 
tions of the figure, colour, distance, and other 
attributes of external objects ; and the power 



82 INDIVIDUALITY. 

of forming these conceptions is in proportion 
to the perfection of the eyes and the organs 
of the internal faculties jointly. 



Genus II. — Knowing Faculties. 

The faculties now to be treated of, take 
cognizance of the existence and qualities of 
external objects: They correspond, in some 
degree, to the Perceptive Powers of the me- 
taphysicians; and form ideas. Their action 
is attended with a sensation of pleasure, but 
(except in the case of Tune) it is weak com- 
pared to the emotions produced by the facul- 
ties already treated of; and the higher the 
functions, the less vivid is the emotion attend- 
ing their active state. 

19. Individuality. 

This organ is situated in the middle of tha 
lower part of the forehead. Two places are 
marked with the same number, T V and T V, 
the reason of this will be explained below. 

Dr. Gall observed in society different per- 
sons, who, though not always profound, were 
learned, had a superficial knowledge of all 



INDIVIDUALITY. 83 

the arts and sciences, and knew enough to be 
capable of speaking on them with facility; — 
such men are deemed brilliant in society. 
He found that, in them, the middle of the 
lower part of the forehead was very promi- 
nent, and the anterior inferior part of the 
brain much developed. He first named the 
part, the organ of the -memory of things; 
but having observed that persons gifted with 
a gtc^t memory of this kind, enjoy, in gene- 
ral, prompt conception, with a great facility 
in apprehending details; that they have a 
strong desire for knowledge; and are also fre- 
quently fond of teaching, he subsequently 
gave it the appellation of the Sense of Things, 
" Sens d'educabilite, de perfectibilite." He 
adds, that persons in whom this organ is large, 
and in whom the reflecting organs are not 
equally developed, are prone to adopt new 
theories, to embrace the opinions of others, 
and have a great facility in accommodating 
themselves to the customs, manners, and cir- 
cumstances with which they are surrounded. 
The faculty gives the desire, accompanied 
with the ability, to know facts and things, 
without determining the kind of knowledge, 
and without any view to the purposes to 



84 INDIVIDUALITY. 

which it may be subservient. It has been 
named by Dr. Spurzheim " Individu- 
" ality." Its organ is early and largely de- 
veloped in children, and the faculty is strong- 
ly manifested by them. It is of importance 
not only in philosophy, but in the affairs of life. 
It prompts to observation (Phrenological Jour- 
nal, vol. ii. p. 67.), and to investigation by 
experiment, and is a great element in a ge- 
nius for those sciences which consist in a 
knowledge of specific existences. It greatly 
aids in producing a talent for all practical 
business involving details, and hence to the 
medical practitioner, the lawyer, and mer- 
chant, it is of essential advantage. To the 
orator or author, it communicates that power 
of observation which enables him to seize 
objects and incidents presented to his mind, 
to store them up, and to recal and apply them 
when required, so as to give substance to his 
mental productions. The minute enumera- 
tion of things and occurrences, which com- 
municates so pleasing an interest, and an air 
of truth, to the fictitious narratives of Le 
Sage, De Foe, Dean Swift, and the Author 
of Waverley, depends chiefly on this power. 
When predominant, and aided by Compari- 



iNDIVIDUALI I 

son, it leads to personification, and produces 
the metaphorical writing that distinguishes 
Bunyan. If the organ is small, the indivi- 
dual may hear, see, or read many facts, but 
<hey make only a faint impression, and soon 
vanish from the mind. Such a person re- 
tains only general ideas, he feels a difficulty 
ia becoming learned, and is not able to com- 
mand his knowledge without previous pre- 
paration. — The organ is established. 

This organ is possessed by the lower ani- 
mals. Dr. Gall considers the faculty in 
them to produce the capacity for education, 
and he gives a scale of the heads of animals, 
from the crocodile and frog to the elephant, 
with the view of proving, that the more this 
part of the brain is developed in each species, 
the higher are its natural susceptibilities of 
being tamed and taught. Dr. Spurzheim 
justly remarks, that this organ does not fill 
the whole forehead, and that the others situ- 
ated there, also contribute to the effects ob- 
served by Dr. Gall. The observation of the 
latter, therefore, is deficient in precision, ra- 
ther than in truth; for this faculty unques- 
tionably adds to the capacity of the lower 

H 



86 INDIVIDUALITY. 

animals for profiting by instruction, although 
it is not the sole source of it. 

There are strong grounds for believing, that 
two organs are included in No. 19. The 
lower portion of it including a small space 
between the organs of Locality, appears to be 
connected with the talent for knowing and 
remembering facts and circumstances. The 
upper portion, bordering on Comparison, is 
large in persons who are fond of natural his- 
tory, and who appear to delight in the study 
of objects which exist. 

The frontal sinus is occasionally found un- 
der the lower space, marked No. 19.; and 
this limits the evidence in favour of the organ 
to the negative kind; that is, when externally 
there is a depression, the brain in that part is 
necessarily small, and the mental power is in- 
variably found weak; but when there is an 
external elevation, the power is not invaria- 
bly strong, as in some individuals the swell- 
ing outwards is caused by the sinus and not 
the brain. The organ is large in Sir J. E. 
Smith, Roscoe, Fraser, Henri Quatre, 
Swift, Macinnes; moderate in Voltaire 
and Haydon. 



6 



SIZE. 87 

20. Form. 
The size of this organ is indicated by the 
width between the eyes; the different degrees 
of which correspond to the greater or less de- 
velopment of the portions of brain situated on 
the mesial or inner side of the orbitary plates 
of the frontal bone, on each side of the crista 
galli. The function of the organ is to judge 
of Form. It aids the mineralogist, the portrait 
painter, and all persons engaged in the imita- 
tive arts. It gives the power of distinguish- 
ing faces. Dr. Spurzheim mentions, that it 
is large in the Chinese whom he had seen in 
London, and also in the French. Children, 
in whom this organ, together with those of 
Constructiveness, Secretiveness, and Imita- 
tion are large, frequently draw, cut, or scratch 
the figures of men and animals for their 
amusement. Large in King George III., 
and in the Chinese skulls, — Established. 



21. Size. 

Persons are found who have an intuitive 

facility in estimating Size, and in whom the 

powers of distinguishing Form and relative 

position are not equally strong; and the part 



88 WEIGHT Or RESISTANCE. 

of the brain under No. 21. has been observed 
in such individuals to be large. It gives the 
power of perceiving and judging of perspec- 
tive. Some officers in the army, in forming 
their companies into line, estimate the space 
which the men will occupy with perfect ac- 
curacy, and others can never learn to judge 
correctly of this requisite; and the organ has 
been observed largely developed in the former. 
Locality also may conduce to this talent. As 
the frontal sinus throws a difficulty in the 
way of observing this organ also, the negative 
evidence is chiefly to be relied on; and it is 
stated as only probable. Large in Brunel, 
Williams, Douglas; small in Ferguson. 

22. Weight or Resistance. 

There seems to be no analogy between the 
weight or resistance of bodies, and their other 
qualities. They may be of all forms, sizes, 
and colours, liquid or solid, and yet none of 
these features would necessarily imply, that 
one was heavier than the other. This quality, 
therefore, being distinct from all others, we 
cannot logically refer the cognizance of it to 
any of the faculties of the mind, which judge 
of the other attributes of matter; and, as the 



COLOURING. 8V 

mental power undoubtedly exists, there ap- 
pears reason to conjecture, that it may be 
manifested by means of a special organ. Per- 
sons who excel at archery and quoits, also 
those who find great facility in judging of mo- 
mentum and resistance in mechanics, are ob- 
served to possess the parts of the brain lying 
nearest to the organ of Size largely developed; 
and so many instances of this kind have oc- 
curred, that the situation of the organ is now 
marked on the plate. Mr. Simpson conceives 
the faculty to produce the instinctive power 
of adapting animal movements to the laws of 
equilibrium. In turners I have observed the 
organ largely developed ; and it may now be 
stated as probable. The frontal sinus, when 
very large, extends to this organ, and renders 
its ascertainment difficult. Large in Mac- 

LACHLAN. 

23. Colouring. 
Several of the metaphysicians were aware, 
that a person may have very acute vision, and 
yet be destitute of the power of distinguish- 
ing colours; but habit and attention have, as 
usual, been adduced to solve the difficulty. 
Observation shows, that those who have a 
H 2 



90 COLOURING. 

great natural power of perceiving colours, 
have a large development of that portion of 
the brain situated under the middle of the 
arch of the eye-brows, enclosed by the lines 
23; whilst those who cannot distinguish mi- 
nute shades of colour have this portion small. 
Dr. Spurzheim mentions, that a large deve- 
lopment of it is indicated by an arched appear- 
ance in the middle of the eye-brow, and that 
this sign is found in the portraits of Rubens, 
Titian, Rembrandt, Salvator Rosa, 
Claude Lorraine, &c. ; but its large size 
is also indicated by the projection forwards 
of this part of the eye-brow, without arching. 
It presents this appearance in the masks of 
the late Sir Henry Raeburn, Wilkie, Hay- 
don, and other eminent painters. In the 
masks of Mr. James Milne and Mr. Sloane, 
and in the heads of several other gentlemen, 
who are unable to discriminate colours, this 
part of the head recedes, so that in some the 
eye even projects beyond it. The faculty 
gives the perception of colour, their shades, 
harmony, and discord; but the refleeting fa- 
culties adapt them to the purposes of paint- 
ing. It is generally more powerful in wo- 
men than in men; and, accordingly, some 



LOCALITY, 

women, as colonrists, have equalled the mas- 
ters among men; while, as painters, women 
in general have always been inferior to the 
other sex. A large endowment of this fa- 
culty renders the sight of flowers and enamel- 
led meadows pleasing. It aids the flower- 
painter, enameller, dyer, and, in general, all 
who occupy themselves with colours. Its 
great energy gives a passion for colours, but 
not necessarily a delicate taste in them. Taste 
depends upon a perfect rather than a very 
powerful activity of the faculties. In several 
oriental nations, for example, the faculty ap- 
pears, from their love of colours, to be strong, 
and, nevertheless, they display bad taste in 
the application of them. — The organ is now 
considered as established. 

24. Locality. 

Dr. Gall, in his youth, had good eyes, but 
he could not recognise places where he had 
formerly been. One of his school-fellows, 
named Scheidler, possessed the faculty of 
doing so in a high degree. Without the aid 
of artificial marks, he retraced in a forest, the 
bushes in which they had discovered nests. 
Dr. Gall moulded this individual's head, 



92 LOCALITY. 

and observed the part now marked as the 
organ of Locality largely developed. This 
gave him the first idea of its function, and he 
afterwards compared, very extensively, the 
size of this cerebral portion with the degree 
of local memory possessed by individuals, and 
he found them proportionate. 

' This faculty conduces to the desire for tra- 
velling, and constitutes a chief element in the 
talent for topography, geography, astronomy* 
and landscape painting. It gives what is call- 
ed " coup d'oeil," and judgment of the capabi- 
lities of ground. It is necessary to the mili- 
tary draughtsman; and is of great importance 
to a general in war. The organ is large in 
the heads of astronomers, as Kepler, Gali- 
leo, Newton, Tycho Brahe, Descartes; 
and also of landscape painters; and travellers, 
as Captain Cook. Dr. Gall mentions, that 
he had observed the organ large in distin- 
guished players at chess: and he conceived 
their talent to consist in the faculty of con- 
ceiving clearly a great number of the possible 
positions of the men. Joined with Individu- 
ality, Size, and Comparison, it gives a genius 
for geometry. The lower animals possess 
the faculty and organ; and display great pow- 



ORDER. 93 

ers of retracing their way, when removed 
from their habitations. The instinctive ten- 
dency of several species of them to migrate 
at certain seasons, is inferred to be connected 
with the periodica] excitement of this organ. 
The frontal sinus occurs occasionally, but not 
generally, at the seat of Locality. The posi- 
tive evidence is strong, and the negative irre- 
sistible; the organ is therefore held to be es- 
tablished. It is large in the companion of 
Gall, Williams, Strath, Douglas; 
generally moderate in females. 

25. Order. 
Order supposes a plurality of objects; but 
one may have ideas about a number of things 
and other qualities, without considering them 
in any order whatever. Every arrangement 
of external articles is not equally agreeable to 
the mind ; and the capacity of being delighted 
with order, and distressed by disorder, is not 
in proportion to the endowment of any other 
faculty. There are individuals who are mar- 
tyrs to the love of order, who are distressed 
beyond measure by the sight of confusion, 
and highly satisfied when every thing is well 
arranged. These persons have the organ in 



94 ORDER. 

question large. The sort of arrangement, 
however, imposed by this faculty, is different 
from, although perhaps one element in, that 
philosophical method which is the result of 
the perception of the relation of things. The 
faculty of which we here speak, gives method 
and order in arranging objects, as they are 
physically related; but philosophical or logi- 
cal inferences, the conception of systematizing 
or generalizing, and the idea of classifications, 
are formed by the reflecting faculties. Dr. 
Spurzheim mentions, that the Sauvage de 
PAveyron at Paris, though an idiot in a very 
high degree, cannot bear to see a chair or any 
other object out of its place; and as soon as 
any thing is deranged, he, without being ex- 
cited to it, directly replaces it. He saw also 
in Edinburgh a girl, who in many respects 
was idiotic, but in whom the love of order 
was very active. She avoided her brother's 
apartment, in consequence of the confusion 
which prevailed in it. I have seen remark- 
able examples both of large development and 
deficiency of the organ, attended with corres- 
ponding manifestations; and regard the func- 
tion as ascertained. At the same time, as the 
organ is small, and the angle of the frontal 



NUMBER. 95 

bone is contiguous, there is a difficulty in ob- 
ing it; and it is by extreme cases alone 
that conviction will be produced. It is large 
in "French M. D.," in Mask named "order 
large," and in Humboldt, the traveller. 

26. Time. 

The power of conceiving time, and of re- 
membering circumstances connected by no 
link, but the relation in which they stand to 
each other in chronology, and also the power 
of observing time in performing music, is 
very different in different individuals. We 
have a few observations in evidence of this 
organ; but the organ is stated as only proba- 
ble. The special faculty seems to be the 
power of judging of time, and of intervals in 
general. By giving the perception of mea- 
sured cadence, it appears to be the chief source 
of pleasure in dancing. It is essential to music 
and versification. An excellent essay on this 
faculty by Mr. Simpson, will be found in the 
Phrenological Journal, vol. ii. p. 134. 

27. Number. 
Some individuals, remarkable for their great 
talent of calculating, excited the attention of 



% J6 NUMBER. 

Dr. Gall. He found even children who ex- 
celled in this faculty. Thus, a boy of thirteen 
years of age, born at St. Poelton, not far from 
Vienna, excelled his school-fellows surpris- 
ingly in this respect. He learned with faci- 
lity a very long series of numbers, performed 
the most complicated arithmetical calculations 
from memory, and very soon found their true 
result. Mr. Mantelli, a Counsellor of the 
Court of Appeals, at Vienna, took a particu- 
lar pleasure in the solution of arithmetical 
problems; and his son of five years of age re- 
sembled him in this talent. In this country, 
Mr. Zerah Colburn, and Mr. George 
Bidder, lately exhibited in public a similar 
talent. In such individuals, the arch of the 
eye-brow is either much pressed downward, 
or there is an elevation at the external 
angle of the orbit. This sign is the re- 
sult of a great development of the part of the 
brain situated behind this place. The special 
function of the faculty seems to be to give the 
conception of number and its relations. 
Arithmetic, algebra, and logarithms belong to 
it; — but the other branches of mathematics, 
as geometry, are not the simple results of this 
faculty. The organ appears large in the por- 



TUM, 07 

traits of Euler, Kepler, Napier, Gas- 
sendi, La Place, &c, and in Jedidiah 
Buxton, who possessed the faculty in a sur- 
prising- decree, it is very large, It is large in 
Bidder, Humboldt, Colburn; small in 
French M. D. — It is held to be established. 

It is still doubted whether the low T er animals 
possess this organ and faculty or not. 

28. Tune. 
The organ of Tune bears the same relation 
to the ears, as the organ of colour does to the 
eyes. The ear receives the impressions of 
sounds, and is agreeably and disagreeably af- 
fected by them; but the ear has no recollec- 
tion of tones, nor does it judge of their rela- 
tions; it does not perceive the harmonies of 
sound; and sounds, as well as colours, may 
be separately pleasing, though disagreeable in 
combination. A great development of the 
organ enlarges the lateral part of the fore- 
head; but its form varies according to the 
direction and form of the convolutions. Dr. 
Spurzheim observes, that in Gluck, and 
others, this organ had a pyramidal form; 
in Mozart, Viotti, Zumsteg, Dussek, 

Crescentini, and others, the external cor- 

i 



OS TUNE. 

ners of the forehead are enlarged, but round- 
ed. Great practice is necessary, to be able to 
observe this organ successfully; and beginners 
should place together one person possessing 
a genius for music, and another who can 
scarcely distinguish between any two notes, 
and mark the difference of their heads. The 
superior development of the former will be 
perceptible at a glance. The faculty gives 
the perception of melody; but this is only 
one ingredient in a genius for music. Time 
is requisite to a just perception of intervals; 
Ideality, to give elevation and refinement; 
Secretiveness and Imitation to produce ex- 
pression; and Constructiveness, Form, 
Weight, and Individuality are requisite be- 
sides, to supply the mechanical expertness, 
necessary to successful performance. This 
combination occurs in Mr. Kalkbrenner, 
and other eminent composers and performers. 
Mr. W. Scott has published an admirable 
essay on this subject, in the Phrenological 
Journal, vol. ii. p. 170. 

Dr. Spurzheim mentions, that the heads 
and skulls of birds which sing, and of those 
which do not sing, and the heads of the dif- 
ferent individuals of the same kind, which 



LANGUAGE. 99 

have a greater or less disposition to sing, pre- 
sent a conspicuous difference at the place of 
this organ. The heads of males, for instance, 
and those of females of the same kind of sing- 
ing birds, are easily distinguished by their 
different development. The organ is large in 
Haydn, Macvicar; small in Sloane. — 
Established. 

29. Language. 

A large development of this organ is indi- 
cated by the prominence and depression of 
the eyes; this appearance being produced by 
convolutions of the brain situated in the pos- 
terior and transverse part of the upper orbi- 
tary plate, pressing the latter, and with it the 
eyes, more or less forward, downward and 
outward, according to the size of the convolu- 
tions. If the fibres be long, they push the 
eye as far forward as the eye-brows; if they 
are only thick, they push them towards the 
outer angle of the orbit, and downwards.* 
The special faculty of this organ is to enable 
us to acquire a knowledge of, and to give us 

* The organ of Form produces only distance between 
the eyes; without rendering 1 them prominent, or push- 
ing them downward. 



100 LANGUAGE. 

the power of using, artificial signs or words, 
Persons who have a great endowment of it 
abound in words. In ordinary conversation 
their language flows like a copious stream; 
—in a speech they pour out torrents. When 
this organ is large, and those of reflection 
small, the style of writing or speaking will 
be verbose, cumbersome, and inelegant; and 
when this difference is very great, the indivi- 
dual in ordinary conversation is prone to re- 
peat, to the inconceivable annoyance of the 
hearer, the plainest sentences again and again, 
as if the matter were of such difficult appre- 
hension, that one telling was not sufficient to 
convey the meaning. This practice appears 
to originate in an immoderate power and ac- 
tivity of the faculty of language, so great, that 
delight is felt in mere articulation, independ- 
ent of reflection. When the organ is very 
small, there is a want of command of expres- 
sion, a painful repetition of the same words, 
and a consequent poverty of style, both in 
writing and speaking. The style of that au- 
thor is generally most agreeable in whom the 
organs of language and of reflection bear a 
just proportion to each other. If the intel- 
lectual powers be very acute and rapid, and 



LANGUAGE. 101 

Language not in proportion, a stammer in 
speech is frequently the consequence. Indi- 
viduality and Comparison greatly assist this 
faculty, when applied to the acquisition of 
foreign languages and grammar. I have ob- 
served that boys who are dux in classes for 
languages, generally have these two organs 
large, and that this endowment, with mode- 
rate language, accomplishes more, in the way 
of scholarship, than a large development of 
the latter organ, with a small endowment of 
the former. Such individuals have a great 
facility in recollecting rules, as matters of fact 
and detail, in tracing etymologies, and in dis- 
criminating shades of meaning; and the com- 
bination alluded to gives them great readiness 
in using their knowledge, whatever the ex- 
tent of it may be. 

The signification of words is learned by 
other faculties: For example, this faculty 
may enable us to learn and remember the word 
Melody; but if we do not possess the faculty 
of Tune, we can never appreciate the mean- 
ing attached to that word by those who pos- 
sess that faculty in a high degree. The 
principle removes an apparent difficulty that 
sometimes presents itself. A person with a 
i 2 



102 LANGUAGE. 

moderate organ of Language will sometimes 
learn songs, poetry, or particular speeches by- 
heart, with considerable facility and pleasure; 
but in all such cases, the passages so commit- 
ted to memory will be found highly to inte- 
rest his other powers, such as Ideality, Cau- 
sality, Tune, Veneration, Combativeness, 
Adhesiveness; and that the study and recol- 
lection of pure vocables is to him difficult 
and disagreeable. To a person, on the other 
hand, in whom the organ is decidedly large, 
pure words are interesting, and he can learn 
them without caring much about their mean- 
ing. Hence, also, a person with a moderate 
organ of language, and good reflecting organs, 
may, by perseverance, learn languages, and 
attain to proficiency as a scholar; but he will 
not display copiousness, fluency, and rich- 
ness of expression in his style, either in his 
own, or in a foreign tongue. — Large in com- 
panion of Gall, Sir J. E. Smith, Hum- 
boldt, Voltaire; small in Fraser. — Es- 
tablished. 



functions of individuality. 103 

Functions of Individuality distinct 
from those of the other knowing 
Faculties. 

In the preceding pages, it is stated, that 
the faculty of Form perceives the forms of 
objects; — Colouring their colour; — Size their 
dimensions; — and that Individuality takes 
cognizance of existences and events in gene- 
ral. The question naturally occurs, if the 
minor knowing powers apprehend all the 
separate qualities of external objects, what 
purpose does Individuality serve in the men- 
tal economy? Its function is to form a sin- 
gle intellectual conception out of the different 
items of information communicated by the 
other knowing faculties. In perceiving a 
tree, the object apprehended by the mind is 
not colour, form, and size, as separate quali- 
ties; but a single thing or being, named a 
tree. The mind having, by means of Indi- 
viduality, obtained the idea of a tree, as an 
individual existence, may analyse it, and re- 
solve it into its constituent parts of form, co- 
lour, magnitude; but the contemplation of it 
in this manner is at once felt to be widely 
different from the conception attached to the 



104 FUNCTIONS OF INDIVIDUALITY* 

word tree as a whole. The function of In- 
dividuality, therefore, is to embody the sepa- 
rate elements furnished by the other knowing 
faculties into one, and to produce out of them 
conceptions of aggregate objects as a whole; 
which objects are afterwards viewed by the 
mind as individual existences, and are re- 
membered and spoken of as such, without 
thinking of their constituent parts. Chil- 
dren early use and understand abstract terms, 
such as tree, man, ship; and the organ of In- 
dividuality is very prominently developed in 
them. 

Farther, Form, Colour, and Size, furnish 
certain elementary conceptions, which Indivi- 
duality unites and conceives, as the being call- 
ed a Man. The faculty of Number called into 
action gives the idea of plurality ; that of Order 
furnishes the idea of gradations of rank and 
arrangement. Now, Individuality, receiving 
the intimations of all these separate faculties, 
combines them again, and contemplates the 
combination as an individual object, and this 
is an army. After the idea of an army is 
thus formed, the mind drops the recollection 
of the constituent parts, and afterwards thinks 
of the aggregate only, or of the combined 



REFLECTING FACULTIES. 105 

conception formed by Individuality ; and re- 
gards it as a single object. 

It is interesting to observe the Phrenologi- 
cal System, which at first sight appears rude 
and unphilosophical, harmonizing thus sim- 
ply and beautifully with Nature. Had it been 
constructed by imagination or reflection alone, 
it is more than probable that the objection of 
the minor knowing faculties rendering Indi- 
viduality superfluous, would have appeared 
so strong and unsurmountable, as to have in- 
sured the exclusion of one or other as unne- 
cessary; and yet, until both were discovered 
and admitted, the formation of such terms as 
those we have considered, was altogether in* 
explicable. 



Genus III. — Reflecting Faculties. 

The intellectual faculties which we have 
considered, give knowledge of objects and 
their qualities; those to which we now pro- 
ceed, produce ideas of relation, or reflect. 
They minister to the direction and gratifica- 
tion of all the other powers; and constitute 
what we call Reason or Reflection. 



106 COMPARISON. 

30. Comparison. 

Dr. Gall often conversed on philosophical 
subjects with a savant, possessing much vi- 
vacity of mind. Whenever the latter was 
put to difficulty in proving rigorously his po- 
sitions, he had always recourse to a compari- 
son. By this means he in a manner painted 
his ideas, and his opponents were defeated 
and carried along with him, effects which he 
could never produce by simple argument. 
As soon as Dr. Gall perceived that, in him, 
this was a characteristic trait of mind, he ex- 
amined his head, and found an eminence of 
the form of a reversed pyramid in the upper 
and middle portion of the frontal bone. He 
confirmed the observation by many subse- 
quent instances. He names it " perspicacity, 
" sagacity, esprit de comparaisonP 

The faculty gives the power of perceiving 
resemblances, similitudes and analogies. Tune 
may compare different notes; Colour con- 
trast different shades; but Comparison may 
compare a Shade and a Note, a Form and a 
Colour, which the other faculties by them- 
selves could not accomplish. This faculty 
prompts to reasoning, but not in the line of 



COMPARISi 107 

necessary consequence. It explains one thing 
by comparing it with another; but does not 
discriminate the points in which they differ; 
and hence those in whom it is predominant 
are in general more ready and plausible than 
sound in their inferences. It gives " inge- 
nuity in discovering unexpected glimpses 
"and superficial coincidences, in the ordinary 
" relations of life;" and great power of illus- 
tration. It is the largest organ in the fore- 
head of the late Right Honourable William 
Pitt. In popular preachers it is generally 
fully developed. It is more rarely deficient 
than any other intellectual organ; and the 
Scripture is addressed to it in a remarkable 
degree, being full of analogies and compari- 
sons. It prompts to the invention and use of 
figurative language; and the speech of dif- 
ferent nations is more or less characterized by 
this quality, according to the predominance 
of the organ. Dr. Murray Patterson 
mentions, that the Hindostanee language 
abounds in figures, and that Comparison is 
larger than Causality in the heads of the Hin- 
doos in general. From giving power of il- 
lustration and command of figures, it is of 
great importance to the poet, and it aids Wit 



108 CAUSALITY. 

also, by suggesting resemblances. It is the 
origin of proverbs ; which, in general, convey 
instruction, under figurative expressions. It 
does not determine the kinds of comparison 
to be used, for every one must choose his ana- 
logies from his knowledge, or from the sphere 
of activity of his other faculties. He who has 
Locality in a high degree will thence derive 
his examples; while another, in whom Form 
predominates, will illustrate from it. — Large 
in Raphael, Roscoe, Edwards, Pitt, 
Henri Quatre, Burke, Curran, Mr. 
Hume, Hindoos; deficient in Charibs. — Es- 
tablished. 

31. Causality. 

Individuality and Comparison take cogni- 
zance of things obvious to the senses. Causa- 
lity looks a little farther than these, and per- 
ceives the dependencies of phenomena. It 
furnishes the idea of causation, as implying 
something more than mere juxta-position or 
sequence, — and as forming an invisible bond 
of connexion between cause and effect. It 
impresses us with an irresistible conviction, 
that every phenomenon or change in nature 
is caused by something, and hence, by sue- 



' at u -nv. log 

cessivc Step., leads us to the First Cause of 
all. In looking at the actions of men, it leads 
us to consider the motives, or moving causes, 
from which they proceed. Individuality 
judges of direct evidence, or facts; Causality 
of circumstantial evidence, or that, by infe- 
rence. In a trial, a Juryman, with large In- 
dividuality and small Causality, will have 
great difficulty in convicting on circumstan- 
tial evidence. He in whom Causality is large 
Will often feel that kind of proof to be irre- 
sistible. It induces us, on all occasions, to 
ask, Why, and wherefore, is this so? It gives 
deep penetration, and the perception of logi- 
cal consequences in argument. It is largeln 
persons who possess a natural genius for me- 
taphysics, political economy, or similar sci- 
ences. When greatly larger than Individu- 
ality and Comparison, it tends to vague ge- 
neralities of speculation, altogether inapplica- 
ble to the affairs of life; and hence those in 
whom it predominates are not calculated to 
shine in general society. Their sphere of 
thought is too abstracted to be reached by or- 
dinary minds; they feel this, and remain si- 
lent; and hence are reputed dull, heavy, and 
even stupid. A great defect of the organ ren- 



K 



110 CAUSALITY. 

ders the intellect superficial; and unfits the 
individual for forming comprehensive and 
consecutive views, either in abstract science 
or business. Coincidence only, and not Cau- 
sation, is then perceived in events. Such per- 
sons are often admirably fitted for common 
situations, or for executing plans devised by 
profounder intellects; but, if they are en- 
trusted with the duties of legislators or di- 
rectors, in any public affair embracing Causa- 
tion, it is difficult to make them comprehend 
the natural dependencies of things, and to act 
according to them. Blind to remote conse- 
quences, they stigmatize as visionary all in- 
tellectual perceptions which their own minds 
cannot reach ; they reject principle as vain 
theory; are captivated by expedients, and re- 
present these as the beau ideal of practical 
wisdom. — The organ appears largely deve- 
loped in the portraits and busts of Bacon, 
Locke, Franklin, Kant, Voltaire, 
Playfair, Dr. Thomas Brown; and in 
the masks of Haydon, Franklin, Burke, 
Brunell, Wilkie; moderate in Pitt, Sir 
J. E. Smith; and very deficient in Charibs 
and New Hollanders. It is larger in the 



WIT. Ill 

English and Germans in general than in the 
French. — Established. 

32. Wit. 

Every one knows what is meant by Wit, 
and yet no word presents more difficulties in 
its definition. Dr. Gall observes, that, to 
convey a just idea of the faculty, he could dis- 
cover no better method than to describe it as 
the predominant intellectual feature in Ra- 
belais, Cervantes, Boileau, Racine, 
Swift, Sterne, Voltaire. In all these 
authors, and in many other persons who ma- 
nifest a similar talent, the anterior-superior- 
lateral parts of the forehead are prominent and 
rounded. When this development is exces- 
sively large, it is attended with a disposition, 
apparently irresistible, to view objects in a 
ludicrous light. When joined with Comba- 
tiveness and Destructiveness large, it leads to 
satire; and even friends will then be sacrificed 
for the sake of a joke. It gives the talent also 
for epigrams. Persons in whom this organ 
is small, regard wit as impertinence, and are 
offended by it. It is greatly aided by Com- 
parison, which suggests analogies and resem- 
blances. 



112 WIT. 

This faculty is treated as an intellectual 
power in Dr. Spurzheim's English work; 
but, in his French works, subsequently print- 
ed, it is considered as a sentiment. He re- 
gards it as giving the feeling of the ludicrous, 
and producing the tendency to represent ob- 
jects under this aspect, in the same way as 
Ideality gives a feeling of the beautiful, and 
also the tendency to elevate and adorn all the 
conceptions of the mind. Wit, according to 
this view, would consist in conceptions form- 
ed by the higher intellectual powers, imbued 
with the sentiment in question. Mr. Wil- 
liam Scott has suggested another view, 
highly ingenious, and equally capable of ex- 
plaining the phenomena. The older meta- 
physicians have remarked, that "there are 
" geniuses of two sorts; the one remarks easily 
" the differences existing between objects, 
"and these are the excellent geniuses. The 
"others imagine and suppose resemblances 
" between things, and these are the superji- 
" cial minds."* Phrenological observation 
has shown, that the latter tendency is pro- 

* Mallebranche, Rech. de la Verite, Liv. II. part. n. 
c. ix. See also Locke, Essay, B. n. c. xi. § 2. ; and Lord 
Bacon. 



WIT. llv, 

duced by a predominating Comparison, and 
that those who have this organ larger than 
Causality and Wit, are habitually prone to 
perceive resemblances, without attending to 
differences. At first it was inferred that 
Causality gives the talent for discriminating 
the latter; but Mr. Scott has been led to be- 
lieve, that this depends upon the faculty of 
Wit; and that the primitive function of this 
power is to distinguish differences. Accord- 
ingly, he shows, that all instances of Wit, in 
the common acceptation of the word, are re- 
solvable into perception of difference, or of 
congruity amid incongruity. In conformity 
to this view, Comparison perceives resem- 
blances, Wit differences, and Causality, situ- 
ated between the two, the necessary connex- 
ions of things: the three combined thus form- 
ing the highest endowment of a philosophical 
understanding. Mr. Scott has also given a 
beautiful analysis of Humour.* The talent, 
for it is produced by Secretiveness in combi- 
nation with Wit; the former giving the sly- 
ness, the latter the ludicrous colouring, which 
together constitute humour. Imitation great- 
ly aids these powers in producing humorous 

* Phren. Trans, p. 174- 
k2 



H4 IMITATION. 

effect — The organ of Wit is large in Sterne, 
Voltaire, Henri Quatre; and moderate' 
in Sir J. E. Smith, Mr. Hume, Hindoos. 

33. Imitation. 

One of Dr. Gall's friends desired him to 
examine his head, because he had a part of it 
enlarged in an uncommon degree. Gall 
found the superior-anterior portion of the 
head, on the two sides of Benevolence, rising 
up in the form of a segment of a circle. The 
individual had a particular talent for imita- 
tion. Dr. Gall instantly proceeded to the 
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, to examine 
the head of a scholar named Casteigner, 
who, six weeks before, had been received into 
the establishment, and had excited attention 
by his prodigious powers of mimicry; and he 
found the same configuration of head in him. 
These facts suggested the notion that this ta- 
lent might depend on a primitive faculty, of 
which this was the organ. He afterwards 
verified this conclusion, by a great number of 
additional observations. I have examined the 
heads of a number of distinguished artists and 
players, and found the organ uniformly large. 
The faculty gives the power of imitation in 



MODES OF ACTIVITY, &C. 115 

general; and when joined with Serretiveness, 
-it gives expression in the fine arts. It is in- 
dispensable to portrait-painters, sculptors, and 
engravers; and it gives the tendency, in 
speech and conversation, to fit the action to 
the words. It is generally active, and the 
organ large, in children. When the organ is 
deficient, the individual is destitute of flexibi- 
lity of manner. He presents habitually the 
air of his predominant dispositions. When 
this organ and that of Benevolence are both 
large, the anterior portion of the coronal as- 
pect of the head rises high above the eyes, is 
broad, and presents a level surface, as in 
Clara Fisher; when Benevolence is large, 
and Imitation small, there is an elevation in 
the middle, with a rapid slope on each side. — 
The organ is large in Raphael and Clara 
Fisher; small in Jacob Jervis. 

Modes of Activity of the Faculties. 

All the faculties, when active in a due de- 
gree, produce actions good — proper — or ne- 
cessary. It is excess of activity which pro- 
duces abuses; and it is probable that Phreno- 
logy has been discovered only in consequence 
•f some individuals, in whom particular or- 



116 MODES OF ACTIVITY 

gans were very largely developed, yielding 
to the strongest propensities of their nature. 
The small ness of a particular organ is not the 
cause of a faculty producing abuses. Thus, 
though the organ of Benevolence be small, 
this does not produce cruelt)^. It may lead 
to the omission of duties, as it will be accom- 
panied with indifference to the miseries of 
others. When one organ is small, abuses 
may result from another being left without 
proper restraint. Thus, powerful faculties of 
Acquisitiveness and Secretiveness, combined 
with a weak faculty of Conscientiousness, and 
weak reflecting faculties, may produce theft. 
Powerful faculties of Combativeness and De- 
structiveness, with a weak faculty of Benevo- 
lence, may produce cruel and ferocious ac- 
tions. 

Every faculty when in action, from what- 
ever cause, produces the kind of feeling, or 
forms the kind of ideas, already explained as 
resulting from its natural constitution. 

The faculties which produce PROPENSI- 
TIES and SENTIMENTS cannot be excited 
to activity by a mere act of the will. For 
example; we cannot conjure up the emotions 
©f Fear, Compassion, or Veneration, by mere- 



OF THE FACULTIES. 11T 

]y willing to experience them. These facul- 
ties, however, may enter into action from an 
internal excitement of the organs; and then 
the desire or emotion which each produces is 
experienced, whether we will to experience it 
or not. Thus, the cerebellum being internal- 
ly active, produces the usual feeling; and this 
cannot be avoided if the organ be excited. 
We have it in our power to permit or restrain 
the manifestation of it in action; but we have 
no option, if the organ be excited, to experi- 
ence, or not to experience, the feeling itself. 
The case is the same with the organs of Fear, 
Hope, Veneration, and the others. There 
are times when we feel involuntary emotions 
of fear, or hope, or awe, arising in us, for 
which we cannot account; and such feelings 
depend on the internal activity of the organs 
of these sentiments. 

" We cannot Nature by our wishes rule, 
"Nor, at our will, her warm emotions cool." 

Crabbe. 

In the second place, these faculties may be 
called into action independently of the will, 
by the presentment of the external objects 
fitted by nature to excite them. When an 
object in distress is presented, the faculty of 



118 MODES OF ACTIVITY 

Benevolence starts into activity, and produces 
the feelings which depend upon it. When 
an object threatening danger is presented, 
Cautiousness gives an instantaneous emotion 
of fear. And when stupendous objects in na- 
ture are presented, Ideality inspires with a 
feeling of sublimity. In all these cases, the 
power of acting, or of not acting, is complete- 
ly dependent on the will; but the power of 
feeling, or of not feeling, is not so. 

In the third place, the faculties of which 
we are now speaking, may be excited to ac- 
tivity, or repressed, indirectly ', by an effort of 
the will. Thus, the knowing and reflecting 
faculties have the function of forming ideas. 
Now, if these faculties be employed to con- 
ceive internally the objects fitted by nature 
to excite the propensities and sentiments, the 
latter will start into activity in the same man- 
ner, but not in so powerful a degree, as if their 
appropriate objects were externally present. 
The vivacity of the feeling, in such cases, 
will be in proportion to the strength of the 
conception, and the energy of the propensi- 
ties and sentiments together. For example, 
if we conceive inwardly an object in distress, 
and Benevolence be powerful, compassion 



OF THE FACULTIES. 119 

will be felt, and tears will sometimes flow 
from the emotion produced, in like manner, 
if we wish to repress the activity of Ideality, 
we cannot do so merely by willing that the 
sentiment be quiet ; but if we conceive ob- 
jects fitted to excite veneration, fear, pride, 
or benevolence, these faculties will then be 
excited, and Ideality will sink into inactivity. 

Hence he who has any propensity or sen- 
timent predominately active from internal 
excitement, will have his intellect filled fre- 
quently with conceptions fitted to gratify it. 
If Cautiousness predominate, the inward 
thoughts will be directed to dismal objects; 
if Benevolence predominate, the inward con- 
ceptions will be of plans for removing dis- 
tress; if Veneration, the thoughts will be of 
religion; if Acquisitiveness predominate, the 
thoughts will be of plans for saving and accu- 
mulation; if Ideality be supreme, the thoughts 
will be of splendid scenes, superior to all 
known realities. 

As the faculties of the Propensities and 
Sentiments do not form Ideas, and as it is im- 
possible to excite or recal the feelings or emo- 
tions produced by them, directly, by an act 
of the will, it follows that these faculties have 



120 MODES OF ACTIVITY. 

not the attributes of Perception, Conception, 
Memory, Imagination. They have the at- 
tribute of Sensation alone ; that is to say, when 
they are active a sensation or emotion is ex- 
perienced. Hence Sensation is an accompa- 
niment of the activity of all the faculties 
which feel, and of the nervous system in ge- 
neral; but sensation is no faculty in itself. 

The laws of the KNOWING and RE- 
FLECTING faculties are different : These fa- 
culties form Ideas, and perceive Relations; 
.they are subject to the will, or rather consti- 
tute will themselves; and they minister to 
the gratification of the other faculties which 
only feel. 

1st, These faculties may be active from in- 
ternal causes, as well as the former, and then 
the kinds of ideas which they are fitted to 
form, are presented involuntarily to the mind. 
The musician feels the notes flowing on him 
uncalled for. A man in whom Number is 
powerful and active, calculates by a natural 
impulse. He in whom Form is powerful, 
conceives figures by internal inspiration. He 
in whom Causality is powerful and active, 
reasons, while he thinks, without an effort. 
He in whom Wit is powerful and active, feels 



PERCEPTION. 121 

witty conceptions flowing into his mind spon- 
taneously, and even at times and places when 
he would wish them not to appear. 

2dly, These faculties may be excited by 
the presentment of the external objects fitted 
to call them into activity; and, 

odly, They may be excited to activity by 
an act of volition. 

When excited by the presentment of ex- 
ternal objects, the objects are perceived, and 
this act is called PERCEPTION. Percep- 
tion is the lowest degree of activity of these 
faculties; and, if no idea is formed when the 
object is presented, the individual is destitute 
of the power of manifesting the faculty, 
whose function is to perceive objects of that 
kind. Thus, when tones are produced, he 
who cannot perceive the melody of them, is 
destitute of the power of manifesting the fa- 
culty of Tune. When the steps of an argu- 
ment are logically and distinctly stated, he 
who cannot perceive the relation betwixt the 
steps, and the necessity of the conclusion, is 
deficient in the power of manifesting the fa- 
culty of Causality; and so on. Thus, Per- 
ception is a mode of action of the faculties 
which form ideas, and implies the lowest de- 

L 



122 MEMORY. 

gree of activity; but perception is no separate 
faculty. 

When these faculties are excited by an aqt 
of the Will, the ideas which they had pre- 
viously formed are recalled. This act is 
named MEMORY ; and it is the second de- 
gree of activity of each of these faculties, 
but is no faculty itself. Tune remembers 
music; Individuality, facts. 

Dr. Watts seems to have anticipated, by 
a very acute conjecture, the real philosophy 
of Memory. He says, " It is most probable, 
"that those very fibres of the brain which 
" assist at the first idea or perception of 
"an object, are the same which assist also 
"at the recollection of it, and then it will 
"follow, that the Memory has no special part 
"of the brain devoted to its own service, but 
" uses all those in general which subserve our 
"sensation, as well as our thinking and rea- 
soning powers."* 

Memory, in the philosophical sense, im- 
plies the notion of past time. This would be 
supplied by the faculty of Time, acting in 
combination with the particular faculties 
which first perceived, and which, in conse- 
quence, serve to recall the past event. Thus, 
* Improvement of the Mind, p. 18. 



IMAGINATION. 123 

Individuality recalling circumstances, with- 
out the notion of Time, would produce Con- 
ception only; if the idea of past time were 
added, it would be Memory. 

When the faculties are powerfully active 
from internal excitement, whether by the 
Will, or from natural activity, the ideas they 
have previously formed are vividly and ra- 
pidly conceived, and the act of forming them 
is styled CONCEPTION or IMAGINA- 
TION. Where conceptions of absent exter- 
nal objects, become vivid and permanent, 
through disease of the organs, the indivi- 
dual believes in the actual presence of the 
objects, and is deluded by phantoms or vi- 
sions. This is the explanation of the cases 
cited in Dr. Hibbert's work on Apparitions. 
Disease of the organ of Wonder contributes 
especially to this effect. The train of ideas 
which is constantly flowing through the 
mind, depends on the internal activity of the 
faculties and organs, and not on bonds of as- 
sociation betwixt particular ideas themselves. 
When the faculties are vigorous and active, 
the succession is rapid; when weak and in- 
active, it is slow. During profound sleep, 
when the organs are entirely at rest, it ceases 
altogether. Conception and Imagination, 



124 JUDGMENT. 

therefore, are not faculties themselves, but re- 
sult from the third degree of activity of 
every faculty which forms ideas. 

And, lastly, JUDGMENT, in the philo- 
sophical sense, belongs to the reflecting facul- 
ties alone. The knowing faculties may be 
said, in one sense, to judge; as, for example, 
the faculty of Tune may be agreeably or disa- 
greeably affected, and, in this way, may be 
said to judge of sounds; but judgment, in the 
proper sense of the word, is a perception of 
relation, or of fitness, or of the connexion be- 
twixt means and an end; and it belongs to a 
class of faculties entirely separate, viz. the 
reflecting faculties. These faculties have per- 
ception, memory, and imagination also. He 
who possesses them powerfully, perceives and 
conceives, remembers and imagines, processes 
of deduction, or ideas of abstract relations, 
with great facility. 

Practical Judgment in the affairs of 
life depends on a harmonious combination of 
all the organs, particularly of the propensi- 
ties and sentiments, in just proportions. In 
order to act rightly, it is as necessary to feel 
correctly as to reason deeply. 

On these principles we are able to explain 
why individuals may manifest a great power 



/ 



ASSOCIATION. 125 

of perception, memory or imagination, and 
little judgment. If an individual have the 
power of manifesting the several knowing 
faculties vigorously, he will have those pow- 
ers in an eminent degree, while, if he be defi- 
cient in the power of manifesting the faculties 
which reason, he will be deficient in philo- 
sophic judgment; and although he possesses 
a splendid intellectual development, if he be 
deficient in the organs of the propensities and 
sentiments, he will be defective in practical 
judgment. 

ATTENTION is not a faculty of the mind, 
but merely consists in a vivid application of 
the faculties which form ideas. Unless a fa- 
culty be possessed, the objects of which it 
takes cognizance cannot be attended to by an 
effort of the will. The intellectual powers 
are greatly excited in producing attention by 
Concentrativeness and Firmness. 

ASSOCIATION.— The metaphysicians con- 
ceive that our thoughts follow each other in 
an established order of succession, and have 
attempted to find out circumstances which 
determine the order and causes, in virtue of 
which one idea introduces another into the 
mind; in short, by reflecting on their own 
1,2 



126 ASSOCIATION. 

consciousness, they have endeavoured to dis- 
cover laws regulating the succession of ideas 
in mankind in general. Such an attempt ap- 
pears to the phrenologist to be opposed by 
impossibility. If we place a number of per- 
sons on a hill-top, say Arthur Seat, over- 
looking a champaign country, an arm of the 
sea, and a great city, — one in whom Ide- 
ality predominates, will be enchanted with 
the beauty and magnificence of Nature; one 
in whom Acquisitiveness is the leading pro- 
pensity, will think of the profits of the 
farms, and ships, or of the works whose 
elevated chimneys throw clouds of smoke 
into the air; one in whom Constructive- 
ness prevails, will criticise the lines of the 
roads, and the architecture of the monu- 
ments; one in whom Benevolence and Vene- 
ration predominate, will think of the sources 
of enjoyment spread out before him, and feel 
gratitude and reverence to an all-bountiful 
Creator, spontaneously arising in his soul. 
Now, a metaphysician, who has also visited 
Arthur Seat, expects, by reflecting on the 
ideas which the recollection of it calls up in 
his own mind, to discover laws of association 
that will enable him to judge of the ideas 
which will present themselves to the minds 



ASSOCIATION. 127 

of all the other persons here supposed, on its 
being mentioned in their presence. This ex- 
pectation, however, is clearly vain; because, 
the original impressions received by each in- 
dividual, differed toto ccelo from those expe- 
rienced by all the others, and when the scene 
is recalled, the associated feelings and ideas 
of each must clearly be those which his pecu- 
liar mind formed at the first aspect of the 
scene. 

Association, therefore, expresses only the 
mutual influence of the faculties. Thus, al- 
though the organ of Causality is the only one 
which perceives the relation of necessary con- 
sequence, it may act in association, or combi- 
nation, with Comparison, furnishing illustra- 
tions to render the argument clear,— with 
Ideality, infusing magnificence and enthu- 
siasm into the Conceptions, — with Tune and 
Imitation, modulating the voice, and giving 
vivacity to the gestures; and the result will 
be the manifestation of splendid oratory. As- 
sociations may be formed, also, betwixt facul- 
ties and signs. For example: Nature has 
established an association betwixt the external 
appearance of misery and the faculty of Be- 
nevolence; so that, on the presentation of the 
appearance, the faculty enters into activity, 



128 ASSOCIATION. 

and generates the emotion of pity. She, in 
like manner, has connected the faculty of 
Tune with the impressions called Sounds, by 
a link of such a kind, that a certain sound 
produces a certain feeling, and perception. 
She has associated the faculty of Wit with 
external objects; so that, on the presentation 
of certain circumstances, instantaneous laugh- 
ter is excited. On this association natural 
language is founded. The sign requires only 
to be presented, and it is understood in all 
countries, and by all nations. 

But mankind possess likewise the power 
of inventing and establishing arbitrary signs, 
to express particular inward feelings, or par- 
ticular conceptions. For example; The 
words Love, Compassion and Justice, are 
mere conventional signs, by which we, in 
Britain, agree to express three different in- 
ternal feelings or sentiments of the mind; but 
there is no natural connexion whatever be- 
twixt the signs and the things signified. 

Now, the way in which we learn the signi- 
fication of these signs is this. Show us a per- 
son in a rage, and express his state of mind 
by the word " Rage," and afterwards, every 
time the term is used we understand it to 
mean that state of excitement of the mind. 



ASSOCIATION. 123 

In the same way, point out the object I now 
write upon, and call it a Table, and when the 
word is again mentioned, I conceive the thing 
signified by it. Hence, to be able to compre- 
hend the meaning of a word, we must be able 
to feel the propensity or sentiment, or to form 
the conception, of which it is the sign. A 
child of three years old, is unable to conceive 
the meaning of the word Abstraction ; because, 
at that age, he has not the power of forming 
the idea signified by it. But he can conceive 
the meaning of the word Table, because he is 
then quite able to form a conception of that 
piece of furniture when presented to him; 
while a person, who is deficient in the faculty 
of Tune, can never conceive fully what we 
mean by the word Melody. 

Hence, the human mind is so constituted, 
that any indifferent object may be selected 
and used as the arbitrary sign of any propen- 
sity, feeling or conception whatever. I say 
indifferent ; for if the object stands already 
in a natural relation to any faculty, it cannot 
be made the arbitrary sign of an emotion of 
any opposite faculty. For example: We 
might, by a mutual understanding, constitute 
a square figure, thus |~|, the artificial sign of 



130 ASSOCIATION. 

the emotion termed Rage. After the agree- 
ment was understood, that figure would sug- 
gest the idea to us, just as well as the letters 
R,a,g,e, which are mere marks placed in a 
certain order. But if we were whimsical 
enough to make the figure of a sweet and 
smiling countenance, which likewise is mere- 
ly a species of form, the sign of that emotion, 
we could never, by any efforts, come to asso- 
ciate the idea of rage with that figure, with 
facility; for it stands already in the situation 
of the natural sign of emotions entirely oppo- 
site. In the same way, we might associate 
feelings of veneration, pity, affection, or grief, 
with soft and slow notes of music; because 
these notes, which themselves excite emotions 
of a specific kind, may become arbitrary signs 
of any other feelings of a homogeneous ki?id 9 
which we please to attach to them. But no 
association could ever be formed, by which 
soft, slow, and delicate tones could become 
the artificial signs of violent rage, jealousy 
and fury; because the natural character of 
such notes, is directly opposite to the natural 
character of such feelings. 

The circumstance of an object being already 
the natural sign of a propensity, sentiment or 



I 



ASSOCIATION. lol 

conception, of a certain kind, appears to be the 
only limit to our power of associating with it 
propensities and conceptions of every other 
description, so as to make the artificial signs 
suggest the feeling or conception signified, to 
those who are acquainted with the convention. 

The rapidity or vivacity with which a feel- 
ing or conception is excited on presentation 
of the sign, will be in proportion to the na- 
tural perfection of the faculties, and the de- 
gree in which they have been exercised, but 
not in proportion to cither of these circum- 
stances singly. 

If the foregoing views be sound, the prin- 
ciples of association must be sought for in the 
constitution of the faculties, and not in the 
relations of particular ideas. In using associ- 
ation, therefore, as an instrument of artificial 
memory, we ought to keep always in view, 
that every individual will associate, with 
greatest facility, ideas with things which he 
has the greatest natural facility in perceiving. 
For example: He who has Number most 
powerful, will associate words most easily 
with numbers; he who has Form most pow- 
erful, will associate words most easily with 
figures; he who has Locality most powerful, 



132 ASSOCIATION. 

will associate words most easily with space; 
and he who has Tune most powerful, will as- 
sociate words most easily with musical notes. 
Hence, also, the influence of Association 
on our Judgment is easily accounted for. He 
in whom veneration is powerful, and to whom 
the image of a saint has been from infancy 
presented as an object to be venerated, expe- 
riences an instantaneous and involuntary emo- 
tion of awe and respect, every time the image 
is presented to him, or a conception of it 
formed, because it is now a sign which ex- 
cites in him that feeling, and the latter ex- 
cludes the reflecting faculties from performing 
their functions. Hence, until we can break 
this association, and prevent the conception 
of the image from operating as a sign to ex- 
cite the faculty of veneration into activity, 
we shall never succeed in bringing his under- 
standing to examine the real attributes of the 
object itself, and to perceive its want of every 
quality that ought justly to be venerated. In 
the same way, when a person is in Love, the 
perception or conception of the object beloved 
stirs up the faculties which feel into such 
vivid emotion, and that emotion is so delight- 
ful, and the mind has so little consciousness 



ASSOCIATION. 13o 

of the real source of the fascination, that it is 
impossible to make the lover see the object 
with the eyes of a disinterested spectator. If 
we could once break the association betwixt 
the object and the faculties which feel, the re- 
flecting faculties would then perform their 
functions faithfully, and the object would be 
seen in its true colours. But, while we are 
unable to break this link, and to prevent this 
fascination, we may reason ad sempiternurn, 
and our conclusions will never appear to be 
sound, because the premises, that is, the ap- 
pearance of the object, will never be the same 
to the party most interested in the argument, 
and to us. 

Thus the associations which mislead the 
judgment, and perpetuate prejudices, are asso- 
ciations of words or things with feelings or 
sentiments, and not associations merely of 
ideas with ideas. The whole classes of ideas 
formed by the knowing and reflecting facul- 
ties, may be associated ad infinitum., and if 
these ideas do not become linked with the 
propensities and sentiments, no moral preju- 
dices will arise. Ideas of form, colour, order, 
and impressions of melody, may be associated 
in ten thousand ways, and faults in taste may 
M 



134 PASSION. 

perhaps be the consequence; but unless the 
association embrace feelings and sentiments 
also, what is called the Heart, in common 
speech, is not misled. 

PLEASURE and PAIN, and also joy and 
grief, are affections of the mind arising from 
the exercise of every faculty. Every faculty, 
when indulged in its natural action, feels plea- 
sure; when disagreeably affected, feels pain ; 
consequently the kinds of pain and pleasure 
are as numerous as the faculties. Hence one 
individual in whom Benevolence is large, de- 
lights in generously pardoning offences, and 
another, in whom Destructiveness and Self- 
Esteem predominate, feels pleasure in taking 
revenge. One in whom Acquisitiveness is 
large, is happy in the possession of riches, and 
another in whom Veneration and Conscien- 
tiousness predominate, glories in disdaining 
the vanity of mankind. Thus pain and plea- 
sure result from, but do not generate, the fa- 
culties. 

PASSION is the highest degree of activity 
of any faculty, and the passions are as differ- 
ent as the faculties: Thus a passion for glory 
is the result of great energy and activity of 
the faculty of love of approbation; a pas- 



SYMPATHY. 

sion for money, ot acquisitiveness; a pas- 
sion for music, of tune; a passion for meta- 
physics, of causality. Hence there can be 
no such thing as factitious passions, although 
such passions are spoken of in various books. ' 
Man cannot alter his nature, and every object 
that he can desire, must be desired in conse- 
quence of its tending to gratify some natural 
faculty. 

SYMPATHY is not a faculty, nor is it 
synonymous with moral approbation. The 
Same notes sounded by ten instruments of the 
same kind harmonize, and blend softly toge- 
ther, to form one peal of melody. The cause 
of this is to be found in the similarity of the 
constitution and state of the strings. Each 
faculty of the human mind has a specific con- 
stitution; and in virtue of it, produces specific 
kinds of feelings, originates or suggests spe- 
cific kinds of ideas; and wherever similar fa- 
culties are active in different individuals, si- 
milar feelings are experienced by each, and 
similarity of feeling is sympathy. Hence he 
who is under a strong feeling of Destructive- 
ness, will delight to join with others in 
schemes of devastation. He who strongly feels 
Veneration, will join in adoration with the 



136 SYMPATHY. 

most glowing fervour. He in whom Bene- 
volence is very active, will join in schemes of 
charity with a melting soul. He who has 
powerful Reflecting Faculties, will seek the 
society of those who reason and reflect. He 
who has Tune in an eminent degree, will 
seek the company of those who will gratify 
it by producing pleasant sounds. He who 
has the Knowing Faculties most powerful, 
will seek the company of those who converse, 
but exercise little reflection; and the reason 
of the sympathy in each case is to be found 
in the similarity of the constitution of the fa- 
culties, in the particular individuals who sym- 
pathise. 

But, in the human mind, the faculties pro- 
per to man bear sway over those common to 
man and brutes: and hence, if one of two in- 
dividuals have Acquisitiveness strong, and 
Conscientiousness weak, while the other has 
Acquisitiveness strong, and Conscientiousness 
strong also, these two individuals may not 
sympathise in their modes of gratifying the 
inferior propensity; for Conscientiousness will 
produce feelings of justice in the one, which 
the other, from the weakness of that faculty 
in him, may not experience. 



SYMPATHY. 137 

Sympathy is not synonymous with moral 
approbation. We approve of the actions 
produced by the lower faculties of others, 
only when these are guided by the faculties 
proper to man : For example, we never ap- 
prove of Combativeness, when indulged for 
the mere pleasure of fighting ; nor of Destnuc- 
tiveness, when gratified for the mere delight 
of being ferocious; nor of Acquisitiveness, 
when directed to the naked purpose of acquir- 
ing wealth. But we approve of the action of 
all these faculties when directed by justice and 
understanding. On the contrary, we approve 
of the action of the sentiments proper to man, 
even when unmingled with any other motive. 
Thus, we approve of Benevolence, from the 
mere glow of charity; of Veneration, from 
the mere inward feeling of devotion; of Jus- 
tice, from the pure dictates of conscientious- 
ness. Indeed, actions done apparently from 
the impulses of these faculties, lose their cha- 
racter of purity and excellence, in our estima- 
tion, in exact proportion to the alloy of the 
inferior feelings which we perceive to be 
mingled with them. Kindness, in which wc 
perceive interest, is always less valued than 
when pure and unadulterated. Activity in 
m2 



138 SYMPATHY. 

the service of the public loses its merit in our 
eyes, in exact proportion as we perceive the 
motive to be the love of approbation, un- 
mingied with conscientiousness and true be- 
nevolence. 

These facts prove the accuracy of the phre- 
nological doctrine, that the higher faculties 
are made to govern the lower; and that man 
is conscious of feelings, necessary, no doubt, 
in themselves, but of the gratification of which, 
when undirected by the superior powers, he 
himself disapproves. Even the higher sen- 
timents, however, must act conformably to 
the understanding to be approved of; and ex- 
cess of veneration, of benevolence, or of scru- 
pulosity, is always regarded as weakness, just 
as excess of any low T er propensity is regarded 
as vice. 

There are some faculties, also, which, from 
their constitution, do not sympathize in dif- 
ferent individuals in whom they are equally 
active. Thus two individuals, under vivid 
impulses of Self-Esteem or Love of Approba- 
tion, do not sympathize. Two proud men, 
or two vain men, repel each other, like simi- 
lar poles of a magnet. There is something so 
engrossing in these two faculties, that different 



HABIT. 139 

individuals, under the unrestrained influence 
of them, are extremely offensive to each 
other. 

HABIT. — Next to Association, Habit 
makes the most conspicuous figure in the phi- 
losophy of Mr. Stewart; but in Phrenology 
it is viewed differently. Dr. Johnson defines 
habit as " a power in man of doing a thing ac- 
quired by frequent doing it." Now, be- 
fore it can be done at all, the faculty and or- 
gan on which it depends, must be possessed 
in an available degree ; and the more power- 
ful these are, the greater will be the energy 
with which the possessor will do the thing at 
first, and the ease with which he will learn to 
repeat it. George Bidder, for example, the 
celebrated mental calculator, acquired the 
habit of solving in his mind, without the aid 
of notation, and in an incredibly short time, 
the most extensive and intricate questions in 
arithmetic and algebra. Before he could be- 
gin to do so, he required to possess a large 
organ of Number; and actually possessing 
this and the corresponding mental faculty, he 
made great and rapid progress in the art, and 
at seven years established the habit which 
strikes ordinary persons with so much sur- 



140 TASTE. 

prise. Other individuals are known, who, 
possessing a small organ of Number, have la- 
boured for years to acquire habits of rapid 
and correct calculation, but without success. 
In like manner, a boy who acquires a habit of 
quarrelling and fighting at school, manifests 
strong faculties of Combativeness, Destruc- 
tiveness, and Self-Esteem; and if these were 
very deficient, he w r ould acquire such a habit 
with extreme difficulty, if at all. Habit, 
therefore, is the result of facility acquired by 
exercise. It is the organ which acquires ac- 
tivity and superior facility in performing its 
functions, by being properly used, just as the 
fingers of a musician attain increased rapidity 
and facility of motion by the practice of play- 
ing. 

TASTE is the result of the harmonious 
action of the faculties generally, in at least 
a moderate degree of vigour. Thus, the most 
beautiful poetry is that by which gratificatioa 
is afforded to the higher sentiments and intel- 
lectual powers, without the introduction of 
any extravagance, absurdity, or incongruity 
to offend any one of them. If Ideality is in 
excess, this produces bombast; if Causality 
predominates too much, it introduces unin- 



SIZE AND ACTIVITT, &C. 141 

telligible refinements; if Wit is excessive, it 
runs into conceits, epigrams, and imperti- 
nences. A picture is in best taste when it 
delights the Knowing Faculties, Reflection 
and the Moral Sentiments, without offending 
any of them. Thus, if Colouring be too 
strongly or too weakly exerted, the picture 
will be defective in taste in its shades; if 
Form be weak, it may be out of drawing; if 
Ideality and Colouring predominate over Re- 
flection, it may be glowing and striking, but 
destitute of dignity and meaning. If Lan- 
guage be overpowerful in an individual, his 
style will be redundant and verbose; if it be 
very deficient, it will be dry, stiff, and mea- 
gre: if Individuality be excessive, he may 
narrate without reflection; if Reflection be 
too strong, he will reason without premises 
or facts. 

Effects of Size and Activity in the Or- 
gans; and Practical Directions for 
observing Development. 

As "self-conviction can be obtained only 
by self-observation," every one who desires 
to become a Phrenologist should learn to ob- 
serve. A healthy brain, at a vigorous period 



142 

of life, is the proper subject for observation ; 
and as the fundamental principle of the sci- 
ence is, that the poiver or energy of mental 
manifestation bears a uniform relation, caste- 
ris paribus, to the size of the organs, we 
must be careful not to confound this quality 
of mind with that of mere activity in the fa- 
culties, as size in the organ is an indication of 
the former, and not at all of the latter. 

In physics, power is quite distinguishable 
from activity. The balance-wheel of a watch 
moves with much rapidity, but so slight is its 
impetus, that a hair would suffice to stop it; 
the beam of a steam engine travels slowly 
and ponderously through space, but its power 
is prodigiously great. 

In muscular action, these qualities are re- 
cognised with equal facility as different. The 
greyhound bounds over hill and dale with 
animated agility; but a slight obstacle would 
counterbalance his momentum and arrest his 
progress. The elephant, on the other hand, 
rolls slowly and heavily along; but the impe- 
tus of his motion would sweep away an im- 
pediment sufficient to resist fifty greyhounds 
at the summit of their speed. 

In mental manifestations (considered apart 



AND PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS. 14o 

from organization) the distinction between 
power and activity is equally palpable. On 
the stage, Mrs. Siddons senior and Mr. 
John Kemble were remarkable for the so- 
lemn deliberation of their manner, both in 
declamation and action, and yet they were 
splendidly gifted in power. They carried 
captive at once the sympathies and under- 
standing of the audience, and made every 
man feel his faculties expanding, and his 
whole mind becoming greater under the in- 
fluence of their energies. This was a display 
of power. Other performers, again, are re- 
markable for vivacity of action and elocution, 
who, nevertheless, are felt to be feeble and 
ineffective in rousing an audience to emotion. 
Activity is their distinguishing attribute, 
with an absence of power. At the bar, in 
the pulpit, and in the senate, the same dis- 
tinction prevails. Many members of the 
learned professions display great felicity of 
illustration and fluency of elocution, sur- 
prising us with the quickness of their parts, 
who, nevertheless, are felt to be neither im- 
pressive nor profound. They possess acute- 
ness without power, and ingenuity without 
comprehensiveness and depth of understand- 



144 SIZE AND ACTIVITY, 

ing. This also proceeds from activity with 
little vigour. There are other public speak- 
ers, again, who open heavily in debate, 
their faculties acting slowly, but deeply, like 
the first heave of a mountain-wave. Their 
words fall like minute guns upon the ear, and 
to the superficial they appear about to termi- 
nate ere they have begun their efforts. But 
even their first accent is one of power, it 
rouses and arrests attention ; their very pauses 
are expressive, and indicate gathering en- 
ergy to be embodied in the sentence that is 
to come. When fairly animated, they are 
impetuous as the torrent, brilliant as the 
lightning's beam, and overwhelm and take 
possession of feebler minds, by impressing 
them irresistibly with a feeling of gigantic 
power. 

Upon the principle before stated, that size 
is a measure of power, brains may be expect- 
ed to vary in their general size, in proportion 
to the degree of mental energy possessed. 
Our first object, therefore, ought to be to dis- 
tinguish the size of the brain generally, so as 
to judge whether it be large enough to admit of 
manifestations of ordinary vigour; for if it be 
too small, idiocy is an invariable consequence. 



AND PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS. i4j 

Our second object should be to ascertain the 
relative proportions of the different parts, so 
as to determine the direction in which the 
power is greatest. 

It is proper to begin with the observation 
of the more palpable differences in size. In 
some instances, the greater mass of the brain 
lies between the ear and the forehead; in 
others, between the ear and the occiput; and 
in others, above the ear in perpendicular 
height. Great differences in breadth are also 
remarkable; some being narrow throughout, 
and some broad. Some are narrow before, 
and broad behind, and vice versa. The busts 
of the Reverend Mr. M., Mary Macixnes, 
Pallet, and Haggart, may be contrasted 
with this view. If the proportions of the 
parts differ, so that, in the larger head, the 
greatest quantity of brain lies in the lateral 
and posterior regions; and, in the lesser 
head, the preponderance is in the frontal and 
coronal aspects, the larger head will then, 
cseteris paribus, manifest the greatest en- 
ergy in the animal propensities, and the 
smaller one the greatest power in the moral 
and intellectual faculties. These higher qua- 
lities may even be more vigorously mani- 



146 SIZE AND ACTIVITY. 

fested by the smaller than by the larger head; 
because the former, although smaller in its 
general size, is, in this instance, supposed to 
be the larger in these particular regions; — 
but, of course, its manifestations of the animal 
propensities will be greatly inferior in energy 
to those of the larger head, the size of which 
is here supposed to lie principally in these 
organs. 

It is necessary to keep in view, that large 
size may consist in length or breadth, or in 
both. The length of an organ is ascertained 
by the distance from the medulla oblongata 
to the peripheral surface. A line passing 
through the head from one ear to the other, 
would nearly touch the medulla oblongata, 
and hence the external opening of the ear is 
assumed as a convenient point from which to 
estimate length. Thus, the organs of intellect 
are situated in the forehead, and in proportion 
to the length of the line from the ear to that 
region, is the length of these organs. The 
breadth of an organ is judged of by its peri- 
pheral expansion; and it is a general law of 
physiology, that the breadth of any organ 
throughout its whole course, bears a relation 
to its expansion at the surface: the optic and 



D PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS. 147 

olfactory nerves are examples in point. 
Hence, if the line from the ear to the forehead 
is much larger than from the ear backward, 
and the breadth nearly the same, we infer that 
the intellectual organs predominate. If, on 
on the other hand, the forehead is very nar- 
row, as in Thurtell, and the hind-head very 
broad, we hold the animal organs to predomi- 
nate, although the length were the same in 
both directions. Measurement by callipers 
is useful for ascertaining general size. The 
following are a few measurements from na- 
ture, taken promiscuously from many more 
my possession. 



148 SIZE AND ACTIVITY, 

Table of Measurements by Callipers. 



Males 

between 

25 

and 

50, 


om Occipital 
line to Lower 
:lividuality. 


3ti 

fa 

O O 


om Ear to 
iwer Individu- 
ty. 


O 

Is 

e 

O ^ 


om Destruc- 
eness to De- 
uctiveness. 


om Cautious- 
sstoCautious- 
ss. 


O 

•4-> 

e8 ."tS 






~ &« ^ 


Sh C/) 


hO = 


^ 


S-i > *- 


*-i i> QJ 






&H tfJ HH 


A 


.^J rt 


A 


fa +3 « 


fa e e 


fa 


1. 


4 8 


41 
^8 


47 
^¥ 


51 


51 


C4 

J ¥ 


^3 

D ¥ 


% 


6^ 

U 8 


04 
°¥ 


41 
^8 


5f 


51 


«6 
°¥ 


46 


3, 


8f 


47 
^¥ 


J 8 


6^ 

u 8 


6| 


6 


a ¥ 


4. 


1 


4 


5 


C4 


6 


£4 
J ¥ 


J ¥ 


5. 


8 


^8 


52 

°~8 


fi2 


61 


6 


X2 

J ¥ 


6. 


8 


46. 
^8 


4f 


J 8 


5f 


£6 

°¥ 


^ 3 
°¥ 


* • 


T4 
• "8" 


4| 


4f 




61 


^7 
°¥ 


°¥ 


8. 


Til 

' 8 


4f 


46 

^¥ 


J 8 


-8- 


°¥ 


°¥ 


9. 


74 

'8- 


4| 


47 
^¥ 


6 


5f 


°¥ 


°¥ 


10. 


8f 


5 


*> 3 
°¥ 


51 


61 


*4 
°¥ 


51 


. 11. 


*i 


4* 


5 


51 


£4 


J ¥ 


41 


i 12, 


n 


41 

^8 


5 


6 


°¥ 


^7 


46. 
^8 


13. 


7* 


4i 

^8 


4f 


51 


51 


£6 

°¥ 


*3 

°8 


14. 


'¥ 


°8 


4| 


5| 


6| 


°¥ 


5 


15. 


n 


41 


4^- 

^8 


61 


6 


6 


5 


16. 


n 


4| 


°¥ 


6 


6| 


5# 


°¥ 


17. 


n 


44 
^8 


^¥ 


6| 


61 


6£ 


5l 


18. 


T4 

'¥ 


41 

^8 


5 


51 


5^ 


«(3 


47 

^¥ 


19. 


8 


42 

^8 


54 

^8 


61 


6 


6 


4^- 

8 


20. 
Total di- 




H 


4| 


5| 


51 


51 


46 

^¥ 


wi'l 


S6f 


991 


1181 


119f 


1131 


103| 


1 














vided by 
20 gives 


h 


4* 


41 9 

^20 


*1 8 

J 20 


£16 

J 2 


£14 
^2"0 


a: 3 


| average. 


J 















tt) PRACTICAL DIRECTION'S. 149 

These measurements are taken above the 
muscular integuments, and show the size of 
heads in these directions; but they are not 
given as indications of the absolute dimen- 
sions of any of the phrenological organs. The 
callipers are not suited for giving this latter 
information, for they do not measure from the 
medulla oblongata, nor do they indicate breadth 
of fibre. The new craniometer is preferable for 
ascertaining absolute length, and the breadth 
may be judged of by means of the hand or 
eye. The average of these twenty heads will 
be higher than that of the natives of Britain 
generally, because there are several large 
heads among them, and none small. 

After becoming familiar with the general 
size and configuration of heads, and learning 
to appreciate the proportions which the gene- 
ral mass of the three orders of organs bears to 
each, the student may proceed to the obser- 
vation of individual organs; and in study- 
ing them, the real dimensions, and not the 
mere prominence of each organ, should be 
looked for. Practice, with at least an average 
endowment of the organs of Form, Size, and 
Locality, are necessary to qualify a person to 
make observations with success. Individuals 
n2 



150 SIZE AND ACTIVITY, 

whose heads are very narrow across between 
the eyes, and little developed at the top of 
the nose, where these organs are placed, ex- 
perience great difficulty in distinguishing the 
situations and minute shades in the propor- 
tions of different organs. If one organ be 
much developed, and the neighbouring organ 
very little, the developed organ presents an 
elevation or protuberance; but if the neigh- 
bouring organs be developed in proportion, 
no protuberance can be perceived, and the 
surface is smooth. The student should learn 
from books, plates, and casts, or personal in- 
struction (and the last is by far the best), to 
distinguish the form of each organ, and its 
appearance, when developed in different pro- 
portions to the others. The phrenological 
bust shows only the situations of the organs, 
and their proportions in one head ; and it is 
impossible by it to communicate more infor- 
mation. The different appearances in all the 
varieties of relative size, must be discovered 
by inspecting a number of heads; and espe- 
cially by contrasting instances of extreme de- 
velopment with others of extreme deficiency. 
No adequate idea of the foundation of the 
science can be formed until this is done. lt\ 



AND PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS. 151 

cases of extreme size of single organs, the 
form delineated in the bust is perceived dis- 
tinctly standing out in nature. 

When one organ is very largely developed, 
it sometimes pushes a neighbouring smaller 
organ a little out of its place. This may be 
distinguished by the greatest prominence 
being near the centre of the large organ, and 
the swelling extending over a portion only of 
the other.* The observer should learn, by 
inspecting a skull, to distinguish the mastoid 
process behind the ear, and several bony pro- 
minences which occur in every head, from 
elevations produced by development of brain; 
as also to discriminate bony excrescences 
sometimes formed by the sutures, when such 
occur. 

The terms used to denote the gradations of 
size in the different organs, in an increasing 
ratio, are 



Very small 


Moderate 


Rather large 


Small 


Rather full 


Large 


Rather small 


Full 


Very large 



* In these cases the shape should be attended to ; for 
the form of the organ is then easily recognised, and is a 
sure indication of the particular one which is largely de- 
veloped. 



152 SIZE AND ACTIVITY, 

Captain Ross has suggested, that numerals 
may be applied with advantage to the nota- 
tion of development. He uses decimals; but 
these appear unnecessarily minute. The end 
in view may be attained by such a scale as 
the following: 

1. 8. Rather small 15. 



2. Idiocy 
3. 


9. 

10. Moderate 


16. Rather large 
17. 


4. Very small 
5. 


11. 

12. Rather full 


18. Large 
19. 


6. Small 
7. 


13. 

14. Full 


20. Very large 



The intermediate figures denote interme- 
diate degrees of size, for which we have no 
names. The advantage of adopting numerals 
would be, that the values of the extremes 
being known, we could judge accurately of 
the dimensions denoted by the intermediate 
numbers; whereas it is difficult to apprehend 
precisely the degrees of magnitude indicated 
by the terms small, full, large, &c. except we 
have seen them applied by the individual who 
uses them. 

In observing the appearance of individual 
organs, it is proper to begin with the largest, 
and select extreme cases. The mask of Mr. 



ID PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS. 

Joseph Hume may be contrasted with that 
of Dr. Chalmers for Ideality; the former 
being 5f inches in breadth at this organ, and 
the latter 6f. The casts of the skulls of Ra- 
phael and Haggart may be compared at 
the same part; the differences being equally 
conspicuous. The cast of the Reverend Mr. 
M. maybe contrasted with that of Dempsey, 
in the Love of Approbation; the former 
having this organ large, and the latter small. 
Self-Esteem in the latter being exceeding- 
ly large, may be compared with the same 
organ in the skull of Dr. Hette, in whom 
Love of Approbation is much larger than 
Self-Esteem. The organ of Constructiveness 
in Raphael maybe compared with the same 
organ in the New Holland skulls. Destruc- 
tiveness in Bellingham may be compared 
with the same organ in the skulls of the Hin- 
doos; the latter people being in general ten- 
der of life. Firmness large, and Conscien- 
tiousness deficient in King Robert Bruce, 
may be compared with the same organs re- 
versed in the cast of the head of a lady (Mrs. 
H.), which is sold as illustrative of these or- 
gans. 

In observing in nature also, it is proper to 



154 SIZE AND ACTIVITY, 

begin with the larger organs; and two per- 
sons of opposite dispositions, in the particu- 
lar points to be compared, ought to be placed 
in juxta-position, and their heads observed. 
Thus, if we take the organ of Cautiousness, 
we should examine its development in those 
whom we know to be remarkable for timi- 
dity, doubts and hesitation. We should con- 
trast the appearance of the organ in such cases 
with that which it presents in individuals re- 
markable for precipitancy, and into whose 
minds a doubt or fear rarely enters; or a per- 
son who is unable to distinguish one note from 
another, may be compared, in regard to the 
organ of Tune, with another w r ho has a high 
natural genius for music. No error is more 
to be avoided, than beginning with the obser- 
vation of the smaller organs, and examining 
these without a contrast. 

It ought to be kept constantly in view, in 
the practical application of Phrenology, that 
it is the size of each organ in proportion 
to the others, in the head of the individual 
observed; and not their absolute size; or 
their size in reference to any standard head, 
that determines the predominance in him of 
particular talents or dispositions. Thus, in 



AND PRACTICAL DIRECTIO 155 

the head of BHlingham, Destructiveness is 
very large, and the organs of the moral senti- 
ments and intellect are small in proportion; 
and according to the rule, that, cseteris pa- 
ribus, size determines energy, Belling- 
ham's most powerful tendencies are inferred 
to have been towards cruelty and rage. In 
the skulls of several Hindoos, the organ of. De- 
structiveness is small in proportion to the 
others, and we conclude, that the tendency of 
such individuals, would be weakest towards 
the foregoing passions. But in the head of 
Gordon, the murderer of the pedlar boy, the 
measurement from Destructiveness to Destruc- 
tiveness is 5|, and in the head of Raphael 
it is 5f inches. Here the absolute size of the 
organ is greatest in Raphael, and yet he 
was an amiable man of genius, and Gordon, 
an atrocious murderer. This illustrates the 
rule now under consideration. In Gordon, 
the organs of the moral sentiments and intel- 
lectual faculties are small, and that of Destruc- 
tiveness is the largest in the brain; while in 
Raphael, the moral and intellectual organs 
are large. On the foregoing principle, the 
most powerful manifestations of Raphael's 
mind ought to have been in the department 



156 SIZE AND ACTIVITY, 

of sentiment and intellect, and those of Gor- 
don's mind in Destructiveness and animal 
passion; and their actual dispositions corres- 
ponded.* 

An objection is frequently stated, that per- 
sons having large heads have "little wit," 
while others with small heads are "very 
clever." The Phrenologist never compares 
mental ability in general with size of brain in 
general; for the fundamental principle of the 
science is, that different parts of the brain have 
different funtions, and that hence the same 
absolute quantity of brain, if consisting of 
intellectual organs, may be connected with 
the highest genius, while, if consisting of the 
animal organs, lying immediately above and 
behind the ears, it may indicate the most fear- 
ful energy of the lower propensities. The 
brains of Charibs seem to be equal in abso- 
lute size to those of average Europeans, but 
the chief development of the former is in the 
animal organs, and of the latter in the organs 

~* Still the dispositions of Raphael would be charac- 
terized by the large size of this organ. It would com- 
municate that warmth and vehemence of temper, which 
are found only when it is large, although the higher 
powers would restrain it from abuse. 



AND PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS. 157 

of sentiment and intellect; and no Phrenolo- 
gist would expect the one to be equal in in- 
telligence and morality to the other, merely 
because their brains are equal in absolute mag- 
nitude. 

If we take two heads, in sound health, and 
of similar ages, in each of which the several 
organs are similar in their proportions, but the 
one of which is large, and the other small, 
and if the preponderance of power of manifes- 
tation is not in favour of the first, then Phre- 
nology must be abandoned as destitute of 
foundation. 

In comparing the brains of the lower ani- 
mals with the human brain, the Phrenologist 
looks solely for the reflected light of analogy, 
to guide him in his researches, and never 
founds a direct argument in favour of the 
functions of the different parts of the human 
brain, from any facts observed in regard to 
the lower animals; and the reason is, that 
such different genera of animals are too dissi- 
milar in constitution and external circum- 
stances, to authorize him to draw positive re- 
sults from comparing them. Many Philoso- 
phers, being convinced that the brain is the 
organ of mind, and having observed that the 



15S SIZE AND ACTIVITY, 

brain of man is larger than that of the majority 
of tame animals, as the horse, dog, ox, have 
attributed the mental superiority of man to the 
superiority in absolute size of his brain; but 
the Phrenologist does not acknowledge this 
conclusion, as in accordance with the princi- 
ples of his science. The brain of one of the 
lower creatures may be very large, and, ne- 
vertheless, if it be composed of parts appro- 
priated to the exercise of muscular energy, or 
the manifestation of animal propensities, its 
possessor may be far inferior in understand- 
ing or sagacity to another animal, having a 
smaller brain, but composed chiefly of parts 
destined to manifest intellectual power.* 
Whales and elephants have a larger brain than 
that of man, and yet their sagacity is not 
equal to his; but nobody pretends that the 
parts destined to manifest intellect are larger, 
in proportion to the convolutions intended to 
manifest propensity, in these animals than in 
man, and hence the superior intelligence of 
the human species, is no departure from the 
general analogy of nature. 

In like manner, the brains of the monkey 
and dog are smaller than those of the ox, ass, 

* Spurzheim's Physiognomical System, chap. 4. 



AND PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS. 159 

and hog, and yet the former approach nearer 
to man in regard to their intellectual facul- 
ties. To apply the principles of Phrenology 
to them, it would be necessary to discover 
what parts manifest intellect, and what pro- 
pensity, in each species; and then to compare 
the power of manifesting each faculty with 
the size of its appropriate organ. If size were 
found not to be a measure of power, then, in 
that species, the rule under discussion would 
fail; but even this would not authorize us to 
conclude, that it did not hold good in regard 
to man; for human Phrenology is founded, 
not on analogy, but on positive observations. 
Some persons are pleased to affirm, that the 
brains of the lower animals consist of the 
same parts as the human brain, only on a 
smaller scale; but this is highly erroneous. 
If the student will procure brains of the sheep, 
dog, fox, calf, horse, or hog, and compare 
them with the human brain, or the casts of it 
sold in the shops, he will find a variety of 
parts, especially in the convolutions which 
form the organs of the moral sentiments and 
the reflecting faculties, wanting in these ani- 
mals. 

It is proper next to advert to certain condi- 



160 SIZE AND ACTIVITY, 

tlons which may coexist in the brain with 
size, and to attend to their effects. Power in 
the manifestations, and size in the organ, are 
in the general case proportionate; and when 
differences in size are considerable, no circum- 
stance, consistent with health, will render the 
manifestations equal in power, but one brain 
may be more perfect in constitution than ano- 
ther, and, in consequence, act more vigorously, 
although not larger in dimensions; but these 
differences are slight, and their effects limit- 
ed. Size, then, is not the only requisite to 
the manifestation of great mental power; the 
brain must possess also a healthy constitution, 
and that degree of activity which is the usual 
accompaniment of health. Now, the brain, 
like other parts of the body, may be affected 
with certain diseases which do not diminish 
or increase its magnitude, and yet impair its 
functions; and, in such cases, great size may 
be present, and very imperfect manifestations 
appear; or it may be attacked with other dis- 
eases, such as inflammation, or any of those 
particular affections whose nature is unknown, 
but to which the name of Mania is given in 
nosology, and which greatly exalt its action ; 
and then very forcible manifestations may 



AND PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS. 161 

proceed from a brain comparatively small ; but 
it is no less true, that when a larger brain is 
excited to the same degree by the same causes, 
the manifestations become increased in energy 
in proportion to the increase of size. These 
cases, therefore, form no valid objection to 
Phrenology. The Phrenologist ascertains, 
by previous inquiry, that the brain is in a 
state of health. If it is not, he makes the ne- 
cessary limitations in drawing his conclu- 
sions.* 

Nature admits of no exceptions, and a sin- 
gle instance of decidedly vigorous manifesta- 
tions, with a small organ, disease being absent, 
would overturn all previous observations in 
favour of that organ; but men are liable to 
err; and although an individual Phrenologist 
may have called an organ small, the manifes- 
tations of which are powerful, or vice versa, 
this is not to be precipitately charged against 
nature as an exception. Chemists occasionally 
fail in experiments, mathematicians err in de- 
monstration, and arithmeticians are wrong in 
calculations; and, in like manner, Phrenolo- 

* See this subject discussed at greater length in Phre< 
Aological Journal, No. II. p. 300. 

o2 



162 SIZE AND ACTIVITY, 

gists may commit mistakes in observing ce- 
rebral development. The test in such cases 
is, to compare the organ in regard to which 
an apparent discrepancy has occurred, with 
the same organ in the head of a person whose 
powers of manifestation are known to be dia- 
metrically opposite. If the organs are not 
perceived by an ordinary eye to differ, then 
the exception is proved. I have seen convic- 
tion carried home to an opponent, by such an 
appeal to nature, when he imagined himself 
sure of a triumph on the score of an error 
committed by an observer. 

If, in each of two individuals, the organs 
of propensity, sentiment, and intellect, are 
equally balanced, the general conduct of one 
may be vicious, and that of another moral and 
religious. . But the question here is not one of 
power ', for as much energy may be displayed 
in vice as in virtue, but it is one of direction 
merely. Now, in cases where an equal de- 
velopment of all the organs exist, direction 
depends on external influences, and then no 
Phrenologist pretends to tell to what objects 
the faculties have been directed, by merely 
observing the size of the organs. 

Suppose that two individuals possess an or- 



AND PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS. 163 

ganization exactly similar, but that one is 
highly educated, and the other left entirely 
to the impulses of nature; the former will 
manifest his faculties with higher power than 
the latter; and hence it is argued, that size is 
not in all cases a measure of energy. 

Here, however, the requisite of ceteris pa- 
ribus does not hold. An important condition 
is altered, and the Phrenologist uniformly 
allows for the effects of education, before draw- 
ing positive conclusions. See Phrenological 
Transactions, p. 308. The objector may per- 
haps push his argument farther, and maintain, 
that if exercise thus increases power, it is im- 
posssible to draw the line of distinction be- 
tween energy derived from this cause and that 
which proceeds from size in the organs, and 
hence that the real effects of size can never 
be determined. In reply, it may be observ- 
ed, that education may cause the faculties to 
manifest themselves with the highest degree 
of energy which the size of the organs will 
permit, but that size fixes a limit which edu- 
cation cannot surpass. Dennis, we may pre- 
sume, received some improvement from edu- 
cation, but it did not render him equal to 
Pope, much less to Shakspeare or Mil- 



164 SI2E AND ACTIVITY", 

ton: therefore if we take two individuals 
whose brains are equally healthy, but whose 
organs differ in size, and educate them alike, 
the advantages in power and attainment will 
be greatest in the direct ratio of the size, in 
favour of the largest brain. Thus the objec- 
tion ends in this, — that if we compare brains 
in opposite conditions, we may be led into 
error — which is granted: but this is not in 
opposition to the doctrine that, casteris pari- 
bus, size determines power. Finally — ex- 
treme deficiency in size produces incapacity 
for education, as in idiots; while extreme de- 
velopment, if healthy, as in Shakspeare, 
Burns, Mozart, anticipates its effects, so 
far that the individuals educate themselves. 

In saying, then, that, cseteris paribus, size 
is a measure of power, Phrenologists demand 
no concessions which are not made to physio- 
logists in general, among whom, in this in- 
stance, they rank themselves. 

ACTIVITY means the rapidity with which 
the faculties may be manifested. The largest 
organs in each head have the greatest, and the 
smallest the least, tendency to natural ac- 
tivity. 

This law of our constitution is of great prac* 



AND PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS. 165 

tical importance. If an individual have large 
organs, they generate strong desires, senti- 
ments, or intellectual conceptions, involun- 
tarily. If provided with suitable objects, on 
which they may exert their energies, they 
conduce to the highest enjoyment, and lay 
the foundation of the greatest usefulness. If 
not so provided, they give rise to the most 
painful emotions. If Love of Approbation be 
large, it excites an ardent desire of applause; 
if no merit be possessed to command esteem, 
it cannot obtain gratification, and painful dis- 
satisfaction is the consequence. Self-Esteem 
very large, prompts to the assumption of airs 
of consequence, and to exaggerated opinions 
of self-importance, and, when uncontrolled, 
exposes the possessor to countless mortifica- 
tions. Combativeness and Destructiveness 
very large, and undirected, prompt the mind 
to watch for occasions of offence, and embitter 
every hour by furious ebullitions. A long 
train of diseases, in common language styled 
Nervous Affections, result from the mental 
faculties and organs being unprovided with 
proper objects on which their activity may 
be exerted. Unless the brain be very small 
and constitutionally inactive, occupation must 



166 SIZE AND ACTIVITY, 

be obtained, otherwise the organs unexercised 
generate the most painful sensations. Edu- 
cation and literature, as means of occupying 
and directing the faculties, are of vast im- 
portance; when these are not possessed, ani- 
mal pleasures, or the follies of fashionable 
life, are resorted to for the sake of a little 
temporary excitement. 

A certain combination in size, namely, 
Combativeness, Destructiveness, Hope, Firm- 
ness, Acquisitiveness, and Love of Approba- 
tion, all large, is commonly attended with 
general activity; and another combination, 
namely, Combativeness, Destructiveness, 
Firmness, and Acquisitiveness, small or mo- 
derate, with Hope, Veneration, and Benevo- 
lence, all large, is frequently attended with 
inactivity in the mental character; but the 
activity of the whole brain is constitutionally 
greater in some individuals than in others, 
and this frequently depends on causes alto- 
gether unknown. It may even happen, that, 
in the same individual, one organ is naturally 
more active than another, without reference 
to size; just as the optic nerve is sometimes 
more irritable than the auditory; but this is 
by no means a common occurrence. Exercise 



AND PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS. 167 

greatly increases activity; and hence arise 
the benefits of education. 

The doctrine that size is a measure of 
power, is not to be held as implying, that 
power is the only, or even the most valuable 
ty, which a mind in all circumstances can 
possess. To drag artillery over a mountain, 
or a ponderous car through the streets of Lon- 
don, we would prefer an elephant, or a horse 
of great size and muscular power; while, for 
graceful motion, agility and nimbleness, we 
would select an Arabian palfrey. In like 
manner, to lead men in gigantic and difficult 
enterprises, — to command by native great- 
ness, in perilous times when law is trampled 
under foot, — to call forth the energies of a 
people, and direct them against a tyrant at 
home, or an alliance of tyrants abroad, — to 
stamp the impress of a single mind upon an 
age; — to infuse strength into thoughts, and 
depth into feelings, w T hich shall command the 
homage of enlightened men in every period 
of time; — in short, to be a Bruce, Bona- 
parte, Luther, Knox, Demosthenes, 
Shakspeare, or Milton, a large brain is 
indispensably requisite; but to display skill, 
enterprise, and fidelity, in the various pro- 



168 SIZE AND ACTIVITY, 

fessions of civil life; — to cultivate, with suc- 
cess, the less arduous branches of philosophy; 
— to excel in acuteness, taste, and felicity of 
expression; — to acquire extensive erudition 
and refined manners, a brain of a moderate 
size is perhaps more suitable than one that is 
very large; for whenever the energy is in- 
tense, it is rare that delicacy, refinement, and 
taste, are present in an equal degree. Indi- 
viduals possessing moderate-sized brains ea- 
sily find their proper sphere, and enjoy in it 
scope for all their energy. In ordinary cir- 
cumstances, they distinguish themselves; but 
sink when difficulties accumulate around 
them. Persons with large brains, on the 
other hand, do not readily attain their appro- 
priate place; common occurrences do not 
rouse or call them forth; and, while un- 
known, they are not trusted with great under- 
takings. Often, therefore, such men pine and 
die in obscurity. When, however, they at- 
tain their proper element, they feel conscious 
greatness, and glory in the expansion of their 
powers. Their mental energies rise in pro- 
portion to the obstacles to be surmounted, 
and blaze forth in all the magnificence of ge- 
nius, when feebler minds expire in despair. 



COMBINATIONS IN SIZE. 169 

Men in general obey willingly a person in 
authority, whose head is large and favourably 
proportioned; because they feel natural great- 
ness coinciding with adventitious power. If, 
on the other hand, the head is small, or large 
only in the organs of the propensities, the in- 
dividual is felt to be inferior in spite of his 
artificial elevation, and is opposed, despised, 
or hated. 

Bonaparte, Captain Parry, and many 
others, present a favourable specimen of the 
former; while, among living men in autho- 
rity, numerous examples of the latter are also 
to be met with. 

Great general size and great activity com- 
bined, constitute the natural elements of the 
highest genius. 

Combinations in Size, or Effects of the 
Organs when combined in different 

RELATIVE PROPORTIONS. 

The primitive functions of each organ were 
discovered, by observing cases in which it 
decidedly predominated over, or fell short 
of, other organs, in point of size, and by si- 
milar observations, each must still be verified. 
After the discovery is established, its prac- 
p 



170 COMBINATIONS IN SIZE. 

tical application deserves attention. Every 
individual possesses all the organs, but they 
are combined in different degrees of relative 
size in different persons; and the manifesta- 
tions of each are modified in some degree by 
the influence of those with which it is com- 
bined. 

Three rules may be laid down for esti- 
mating the effects of differences in relative 
size, occurring in the organs of the same 
brain. 

Rule first. — Every faculty desires grati- 
fication with a degree of energy proportionate 
to the size of its organ;* and those faculties 
will be habitually indulged, the organs of 
which are largest in the individual. 

Examples, — If all the animal organs are 
large, and all the organs of the moral senti- 
ments and intellect small, the individual will 
be naturally prone to animal indulgence in 
the highest degree, and disposed to seek gra- 
tification in the directest way, and in the 
lowest pursuits. The Charibs, Mary Ma- 

* The condition, caeteris paribus, is always understood, 
and therefore need not be repeated, in treating of the 
effects of size. 



COMBINATIONS IN SIZE. 171 

mls, and Bellingham, are illustrations 
of this combination, and their manifestations 
corresponded. 

If, on the other hand, the organs of the 
moral sentiments and intellect greatly predo- 
minate, the individual will be naturally prone 
to moral and intellectual pursuits; such per- 
sons are " a law unto themselves." The 
oasts of Dr. Hette, and the Reverend Mr. 
M.j are examples of this combination, and 
they may be contrasted with the casts last 
mentioned. 

Rule second. — As there are three kinds 
of faculties, Animal, Moral, and Intellectual, 
which are not homogeneous in their nature, 
it may happen that several large animal or- 
gans are combined in the same individual 
with several moral and intellectual organs 
highly developed. The rule then will be, 
that the lower propensities will take their 
direction from the higher powers; and such 
a course of action will be habitually followed, 
as will be calculated to gratify the whole fa- 
culties whose organs are large. 

Examples. — If the organs of Acquisitive- 
ness and Conscientiousness be both large, 



172 COMBINATIONS IN SIZE. 

stealing might gratify Acquisitiveness, but 
it would offend Conscientiousness. Accord- 
ing to the rule, the individual would endea- 
vour to gratify both, by acquiring property 
by lawful industry. If both Combativeness 
and Destructiveness are large, and Benevo- 
lence and Conscientiousness as fully deve- 
loped, wanton outrage and indiscriminate at- 
tack might gratify the first two faculties, but 
they would outrage the last two; and hence 
the individual would seek for situations cal- 
culated to gratify all four, and these may be 
found in the ranks of an army embodied for 
the defence of his country; or the same ob- 
ject may be obtained by moral and intellec- 
tual warfare against the patrons of corruption 
and abuse in Church and State. Luther, 
Knox, and many other benefactors of man- 
kind, were probably actuated by such a com- 
bination of faculties. 

If, in an individual, the Cerebellum is very 
large, and Philoprogenitiveness, Adhesive- 
ness, and Conscientiousness deficient, he will 
be prone to the directest gratifications of the 
animal appetite; if the latter organs are large, 
he will perceive that wedlock affords the 



COMBINATIONS IN SIZE. 173 

only means of pleasing the whole group of 
faculties. 

If Benevolence, Self-Esteem, and Acquisi- 
tiveness are all large, giving charity may gra- 
tify the first; but unless the individual be 
very rich, the act of parting with property 
may be disagreeable to the two last faculties: 
he would therefore prefer to gratify Benevo- 
lence by personal kindness; he would sacri- 
fice time, trouble, influence and advice, to the 
welfare of others, but not property. If Be- 
nevolence were small, with the same combi- 
nation, he would not give either money or 
personal service. 

If Love of Approbation large, is combined 
with large Ideality and moderate reflecting 
faculties, the individual will be ambitious to 
excel in the splendour of his equipage, style 
of living, dress, and rank. If, to the same 
combination, be added a powerful intellect 
and large Conscientiousness, moral and intel- 
lectual excellence will be preferred as the 
means of obtaining the respect of the world. 

If Self-Esteem large, is combined with de- 
ficient Love of Approbation and Conscien- 
tiousness, the individual will be prone to 
gratify his selfish feelings, with little regard 
p2 



174 COMBINATIONS IN SIZE* 

to the good opinion, or the just claims of so- 
ciety. If Self-Esteem large, is combined 
with large Love of Approbation and Con- 
scientiousness, the former will produce only 
that degree of self-respect which is essential 
to dignity of character, and that degree of 
independence of sentiment, without which 
even virtue cannot be maintained. 

If Cautiousness large, is combined with de- 
ficient Combativeness, the individual will be 
extremely timid. If Combativeness be large, 
and Cautiousness small, reckless intrepidity 
will be the result. If Combativeness be 
equally large with Cautiousness, the indivi- 
dual will display courage regulated by pru- 
dence. If Cautiousness, Conscientiousness, 
Self-Esteem, Secretiveness, and Love of Ap- 
probation, are all large, and Combativeness 
moderate, bashfulness or mauvaise honte will 
be the consequence. This feeling is the result 
of the fear of not acquitting one's self to ad- 
vantage, and thereby compromising one's 
personal dignity. 

If Veneration and Hope are large, and 
Conscientiousness and Benevolence small, the 
individual will be naturally fond of the act of 
religious worship, but averse to the practice 



COMBINATION* IN SIZK. 175 

of charity and justice. If the proportions are 
reversed, the result will be a natural disposi- 
tion to charity and justice, with no great ten- 
dency to the exercise of devotion. If all the 
four organs are large, the individual will be 
naturally inclined to render homage to God, 
and discharge his duties to men. If Venera- 
tion large, is combined with large Acquisi- 
tiveness and Love of Approbation, the for- 
mer sentiment may be directed to superiors 
in rank and power, as the means of gra- 
tifying the desires for wealth and influ- 
ence depending on the latter faculties. If 
Veneration small, be combined with Self- 
Esteem and Firmness large, the indivi- 
dual will not naturally look up to superiors 
in rank. 

The intellectual faculties will naturally tend 
to such employments as are calculated to gra- 
tify the predominant propensities and senti- 
ments. If the organs which constitute a ge- 
nius for painting are combined with large 
Acquisitiveness, the individual would paint 
to become rich; if combined with Acquisi- 
tiveness small, and Love of Approbation 
large, he would probably labour for fame, and 
starve while attaining it. 



176 COMBINATIONS IN SIZE. 

Talents for different intellectual pursuits 
depend upon the combinations of the know- 
ing and reflecting organs in certain propor- 
tions. Form, Size, Colouring, Individuality, 
Ideality, Imitation and Secretiveness, large/ 
with Locality small, will constitute a portrait, 
but not a landscape, painter. Diminish Form 
and Imitation, and increase Locality, and the 
result will be a talent for landscape, but not 
for portrait, painting. If to Individuality, 
Comparison, and Causality, all large, an 
equally well developed organ of Language is 
added, the result will be a talent for author- 
ship or public debate; if the Language be 
small, the other faculties will be more prone 
to seek gratification in the business of life, or 
in abstract philosophy. 

The principle of this rule solves cases which 
often appear inexplicable to superficial obser- 
vers. In Quaker Geddes, as drawn by the 
Author of Waverley in Redgauntlet (and 
many such individuals exist in nature), Com- 
bativeness and Destructiveness are kept in 
check by the moral sentiments and reflection, 
so as in no instance to be permitted to repel 
violence by violence. The question is fre- 
quently asked, what in such cases becomes of 



COMBINATIONS IN SIZE. 177 

the organs? The answer is, that they are 
present, and perform their usual functions. 
The individual in question is represented as 
full of moral intrepidity and energy of cha- 
racter; and this is the result of Combativeness 
and Destructiveness, directed by the superior 
faculties. If these organs were small, those 
of the higher powers being large, the conse- 
quence would be a deficiency in active and 
energetic qualities of mind. In no instance, 
therefore, is it a matter of indifference to the 
dispositions and character of the individual, 
whether any particular organ be large or 
small. To estimate the effect produced on 
the character by a large organ, the manifesta- 
tions of which appear to be suppressed, we 
should consider what the result would be if 
that organ were small, while all the others 
retained their original proportions. 

Rule third. — Where all the organs ap- 
pear in nearly equal proportions to each other, 
the individual, if left to himself, will exhibit 
opposite phases of character, according as the 
animal propensities or moral sentiments pre- 
dominate for the time. He will pass his life 
in alternate sinning and repenting. If exter- 



178 COMBINATIONS IN SIZE. 

nal influence is brought to operate upon him, 
his conduct will be greatly modified by it; if 
placed, for instance, under severe discipline, 
and moral restraint, these will cast the ba- 
lance, for the time, in favour of the higher 
sentiments; if exposed to the solicitation of 
profligate associates, the animal propensities 
will probably obtain triumphant sway. Max- 
well, who was executed for housebreaking 
and theft, is an example of this combination. 
In him the three orders of organs are amply 
developed, and, while subjected to the disci- 
pline of the army, he preserved a fair reputa- 
tion; but when he fell into the company of 
thieves, he adopted their practices, and was 
hanged. 

The principles now laid down remove an 
objection that has frequently been stated, viz. 
that, as different combinations modify the 
manner in which the faculties are manifested, 
and as the functions of the parts at the base 
of the brain are still undiscovered, no certain- 
ty can be obtained regarding the functions 
even of the higher parts; because, say the ob- 
jectors, all the manifestations actually per- 
ceived, may be the result of the joint action 
of the known and unknown parts, and hence 



COMBINATIONS IN ACTIVITY- 170 

it is impossible to determine the specific func- 
tions of each. The answer to this objection 
is, that the function of each organ remains in- 
variable, whatever direction the manifesta- 
tions may take, in consequence of its acting 
in combination with other organs. Hence, if 
we suppose the unknown parts at the base of 
the brain to be the organs of Hunger and 
Thirst, as several facts indicate, then Tune 
combined with these parts large, would be 
directed to Bacchanalian songs; if combined 
with these small, and Veneration large, hymns 
would become the objects of its manifestation; 
but, in either case, Tune would perform only 
its primitive function of producing melody. 

Combinations in Activity. 

Where several organs are large in the same 
individual, they have a natural tendency to 
combine in activity, and to prompt him to a 
line of conduct calculated to gratify them all. 
Where, however, all or the greater part of 
the organs are possessed in nearly equal pro- 
portions, important practical effects may be 
produced, by establishing Combinations in 
activity among particular organs, or groups of 
organs. For example, if Individuality, Cau- 



180 COMBINATIONS IN ACTIVITY. 

sality, Comparison and Language be all large, 
they will naturally tend to act together, and 
the result of their combined activity will be a 
natural talent for public speaking, or literary 
composition. If Language be small, it will 
be extremely difficult to establish such a com- 
bination in activity, and the natural talent 
will be deficient; but if we take two indivi- 
duals, in both of whom this group of organs 
is of an average size, and if we train one of 
them to a mechanical employment, and the 
other to the bar; in the latter, the reflecting 
organs and that of Language will be trained to 
act together, and the result will be an acquired 
facility in writing and debate; whereas, in 
the former individual, in consequence of the 
organ of Language never being accustomed to 
act in combination with those of intellect, this 
facility would be utterly wanting. On the 
same principle, if a person having an excel- 
lent endowment of the organs of propensity, 
sentiment and intellect, were introduced for 
the first time into higher society than that 
with which he had been accustomed, it might 
happen that he would lose for a moment the 
command of his faculties, and exhibit an un- 
happy specimen of awkwardness and embar- 



COMBINATIONS IN ACTIVITY. 181 

rassment. This would arise from irregular 
and unharmonious action in the different fa- 
culties and organs ; Veneration powerfully- 
excited would prompt him to manifest pro* 
found respect; Love of Approbation would 
inspire him with a strong desire to exhibit a 
pleasing and becoming appearance; Cautious- 
ness would produce alarm, lest he should fail 
in any essential of breeding; Self-Esteem 
would feel compromised by embarrassment 
stealing on the mind; and the intellect, dis- 
tracted by these vivacious and conflicting 
emotions, would be unable to regulate the 
conduct, according to the rules of propriety. 
When familiarized with the situation, the 
sentiments would subside into a state of less 
energetic and more harmonious action ; the 
intellect would then assume the supremacy, 
and regulate and direct the feelings which 
previously had overpowered it; and then the 
individual might become the idol and orna- 
ment of the circle, in which he at first made 
so awkward a debut. 

It is in virtue of this principle that educa- 
tion produces its most important effects. If, 
for instance, we take two individuals, in each 
of whom all the organs are developed in an 
Q 



182 COMBINATIONS IN ACTIVITY. 

average degree; and if the one of them has 
been educated among persons of sordid and 
mercenary dispositions, Acquisitiveness and 
Self-Esteem would then be cultivated in him 
into a high degree of activity, and self-inte- 
rest and personal aggrandizement would be 
viewed as the great objects of life. If the 
Love of Approbation were trained into com- 
bined activity with these faculties, it would 
desire distinction in wealth or power; if Ve- 
neration were trained to act in concert with 
them, it would take the direction of admiring 
the rich and great; and, Conscientiousness not 
being predominantly vigorous, would only 
intimate that such pursuits were unworthy, 
without possessing the power by itself, of 
overcoming or controlling the whole combi- 
nation against it. If another individual, pos- 
sessing the same development, were trained 
amidst moral and religious society, in whose 
habitual conduct the practice of benevolence 
and justice towards men, and veneration to- 
wards God, was represented as the leading 
objects of human existence, the Love of Ap- 
probation, acting with this combination, would 
desire esteem for honourable and virtuous ac- 
tions; and Acquisitiveness would be viewed 



COMBINATIONS IN ACTIVITY. 183 

as the means of procuring gratification to 
these higher powers, but not as itself an ob- 
ject of paramount importance. The practical 
conduct of the two individuals might be very- 
different in consequence of this difference of 
training. 

The principle now under discussion is not 
inconsistent with the influence of size ; be- 
cause it is only in individuals in whom the 
organs are nearly on an equality in point of 
size, that so great effects can be produced by 
combinations in activity. In such cases the 
Phrenologist, in estimating the effects of size, 
always inquires into the education bestowed. 

The doctrine of combinations in activity ex- 
plains several other mental phenomena of an in- 
teresting nature. In viewing the heads of the 
higher and lower classes of society, we do not 
perceive the animal organs preponderating in 
point of size in the latter, and the moral sen- 
timents in the former, in any very palpable 
degree. The high polish, therefore, which 
characterizes the upper ranks, is the result of 
sustained harmony in the action of the differ- 
ent faculties, and especially in those of the 
moral sentiments, induced bv long; cultiva- 
tion; while the rudeness observable in some 



184 COMBINATIONS IN ACTIVITY. 

of the lower orders, results from a predomi- 
nating combination in activity among the 
lower propensities; and the awkwardness that 
frequently characterizes them, arises from the 
propensities, sentiments, and intellect, not be- 
ing habituated to act together. If, however, 
an individual is very deficient in the higher 
organs, he will remain vulgar, in consequence 
of this defect, although he is born and edu- 
cated even in the best society, and in spite of 
every effort to communicate refinement by 
training; while, on the other hand, if a very 
favourable development of the organs of the 
higher sentiments and intellect is possessed, 
the individual, in whatever rank he moves, 
will have the stamp of Nature's nobility. 

Several moral phenomena also, which were 
complete enigmas to the older metaphysicians, 
are explained by this principle. Dr. Adam 
Smith, in his Theory, Chapter II., " On the 
" influence of fortune upon the sentiments of 
"mankind, with regard to the merit and de- 
" merit of actions," states the following case. 
A person throws a large stone over a wall into 
the public street, without giving warning to 
those who may be passing, and without regard- 
ing where it may fall; if it light upon a per- 



COMBINATIONS IN ACTIVITY. 185 

son's head, and knock out his brains, we 
would punish the offender pretty severely; 
but if it fall upon the ground, and hurt no- 
body, we would be offended with the same 
measure of punishment, which, in the former 
event, we would reckon just, and yet the de- 
merit in both cases is the same. Dr. Smith 
gives no theory to account for these differ- 
ences of moral determination. Phrenology 
explains them. If the stone falls upon an un- 
happy passenger, Benevolence in the specta- 
tor is outraged ; — if the sufferer had a wife and 
family, Philoprogenitiveness and Adhesive- 
ness are offended. Self-Esteem and Cautious- 
ness also are excited, by the idea that we 
might have shared the same fate; all these 
rouse Destructiveness, and the whole together 
loudly demand a smart infliction on the trans- 
gressor to appease them. In the other event, 
when the stone falls to the ground, and hurts 
nobody, the only faculties excited are Intel- 
lect and Conscientiousness, and probably Cau- 
tiousness, and these calmly look at the motive 
of the offender, which probably was mere 
thoughtless levity, and enact a slight punish- 
ment against him. The proper sentence, in 
such a case, is that which would be pro- 
q2 



186 COMBINATIONS IN ACTIVITY. 

nounced by Intellect, and the moral senti- 
ments acting in combination, uninfluenced by 
the lower propensities. 

In like manner, when a person becomes 
judge in his own cause, Self-Esteem, Acqui- 
sitiveness, and probably Combativeness and 
Destructiveness, roused by the conduct of the 
opposite party, mingle their influence with 
that of Conscientiousness, and the result is a 
determination frequently the very opposite 
of justice. When a neutral person is appoint- 
ed as judge, Conscientiousness and Intellect 
alone are called into activity, and absolute jus- 
tice is the result of a powerful sentiment of 
Conscientiousness, thoroughly enlightened by 
an acute and well-informed understanding. 
In party politics, Adhesiveness, Love of Ap- 
probation, and Benevolence, not to mention 
Combativeness and Destructiveness, are ex- 
tremely apt to enter into vivid activity, in 
surveying the conduct of an individual who 
has distinguished himself by zealous efforts 
upon our own side; and our judgment of his 
conduct will, in consequence, be the determi- 
nation of Intellect and Conscientiousness, dis- 
turbed and led astray by these inferior feel • 



MATERIALISM. 187 

On Materialism. 
The objection, that Phrenology leads to 
materialism, has been frequently urged against 
the science; but it appears singularly unphi- 
losophical, even upon the most superficial 
consideration. Phrenology, viewed as the 
assertion of certain physical facts, cannot, if 
unfounded, logically lead to any result, ex- 
cept the disgrace and mortification of its sup- 
porters. On such a supposition, it cannot 
overturn religion, or any other truth; be- 
cause, by the constitution of the human intel- 
lect, error constantly tends to resolve itself 
into nothing, and to sink into oblivion; while 
truth, having a real existence, remains per- 
manent and impregnable. In this view, then, 
the objection, that Phrenology leads to ma- 
terialism, is absurd. If, on the other hand, 
the science is held to be a true interpreta- 
tion of nature, and if it is urged, that, ne- 
vertheless, it leads fairly and logically to ma- 
terialism, then the folly of the objection is 
equally glaring; for it resolves itself into this, 
— that materialism is the constitution of na- 
ture, and that Phrenology is dangerous, be- 
cause it makes this constitution known. 



188 MATERIALISM. 

The charge assumes a still more awkward 
appearance in one shape, in which it is fre- 
quently brought forward. The objector ad- 
mits that the mind uses the body as an in- 
strument of communication with external na-> 
ture, and maintains, that this fact does not ne- 
cessarily lead to materialism. In this I agree 
with him; but I cannot perceive how it 
should lead nearer to this result, to hold that 
each faculty manifests itself by a peculiar or- 
gan, than to believe that the whole mind acts 
on external objects by means of the whole 
body, or the whole brain. In short, in what- 
ever point of view the system is regarded, 
whether as true or false, the objection of ma- 
terialism is futile and unphilosophical; and 
one must regret that it should have been 
brought forward in the name of Religion, be- 
cause every imbecile and unfounded attack 
against Philosophy, made in this sacred name, 
tends to diminish the respect with which it 
ought always to be invested. 

The question of materialism itself, however, 
as a point of abstract discussion, has of late 
excited considerable attention; and I shall 
offer a few remarks upon its general merits. 
In entering on the subject, it is proper to take 



MATERIALISM. 189 

a view of the nature and extent of the point 
in dispute, and of the real effect of our deci- 
sion upon it. The question then is, Whether 
the substance of which the thinking princi- 
ple is composed be matter or spirit? And the 
effect of our decision, let it be observed, is not 
to alter the nature of that substance, what- 
ever it is, but merely to adopt an opinion con- 
sonant with, or adverse to, a fact in nature 
over which we have no control. Mind, with 
all its faculties and functions, has existed since 
the creation, and will exist till the human 
race becomes extinct, and no opinion of man, 
concerning the cause of its phenomena, can 
have the least influence over that cause itself. 
The mind is invested, by nature, with all its 
properties and essences, and these it will pos- 
sess, and manifest, and maintain, let men 
think, and speak, and write, what they will, 
concerning its substance. If the Author of 
Nature has invested the mind with the quali- 
ty of endless existence, it will, to a certainty, 
flourish in immortal youth in spite of every 
appearance of premature decay. If, on the 
other hand, Nature has limited its existence 
to this passing scene, and decreed that it shall 
perish forever when the animating principle 



190 MATERIALISM. 

passes from the body, then all our conjectures, 
arguments, discussions, and assertions, re- 
specting its immortality, will not add one day 
to its existence. The opinions of man, there- 
fore, concerning the substance of the mind, 
can have no influence whatever in changing 
er modifying that substance itself; and if so, 
as little can these opinions undermine the con- 
stitution of the mind, or its relations to time 
and eternity, on which, as their foundations, 
morality and religion must, and do, rest as 
on an immutable basis. According to Phre- 
nology, morality and natural religion origi- 
nate in, and emanate from, the primitive con- 
stitution of the mental powers themselves. 
Innumerable observations have proved, that 
faculties and organs of Benevolence, Hope, 
Veneration, Justice, and Reflection exist. 
Now, our believing that the mind will die 
with the body will not pluck these sentiments 
and powers from the soul; nor will our be- 
lieving the mind to be immortal, implant a 
single one more of them in our constitution. 
They would all remain the same in functions, 
and constitution, and render virtue amiable 
and vice odious, although we should believe 
the mind to be made of dust/just as they 



MATERIALISM. l l Jl 

would do were we to believe the mind to be 
a more immediate emanation from the Deity 
himself. 

In short, therefore, this question of mate 
rialism is one of the most vain, trivial, and 
uninteresting that ever engaged the human 
intellect; and nothing can be more unphilo- 
sophical, and more truly detrimental to the 
interests of morality and religion, than the 
unfounded clamour, or cant shall I call it, 
which has been poured forth from the perio- 
dical journals about the dangers attending it. 
A manly intellect, instead of bowing before 
prejudice, would dissipate it, by showing that 
the question is altogether an illusion, and 
that, adopt what opinion we will, concern- 
ing the substance of the mind, every attribute 
belonging to it must remain unaltered and 
unimpeached. 

But not to stop in our investigation till we 
have reached the goal, we may inquire, whe- 
ther it be possible to discover the substance 
of which the mind is composed, whether it 
be material or immaterial? Previous to doing: 
so, however, we ought to endeavour to ascer- 
tain what means we possess of arriving at a 
knowledge of the essence of the mind. All 
our knowledge must be derived either from 



192 MATERIALISM. 

consicousness or observation. Now, by re- 
flecting on what we feel, we discover nothing 
concerning the nature or essence of the think- 
ing being. We do not feel a spiritual sub- 
stance stirring about within us^ and elabo- 
rating sentiment and thought; and neither 
do we feel a material substance producing 
these effects. We are conscious only of feel- 
ings and emotions, of friendships and attach- 
ments, of high conceptions and glorious 
thoughts; but whether these originate from 
matter or spirit; whether the first embryo 
substance of reflection dwelt lowly in the 
dust, or soared a pure ethereal essence amid 
the regions of boundless space, before it was 
constituted a part of us; whether God, in 
creating man, was pleased to invest his ma- 
terial organs with the property of thought, 
or to infuse into him a portion of immaterial 
fire; — on all these points consciousness gives 
us no information. A great deal of popular 
delusion, indeed, has been kept alive on this 
point, by the fact being overlooked, that we 
are not conscious of the operations of the 
brain. Men in general, because they are 
sensible only of thought and feeling, and not 
of the movements of any material organ per- 
forming these acts of the mind, imagine 



MATERIALISM. 193 

that it is necessarily an immaterial substance 
which is thinking and feeling within them; 
but they are equally unconscious of the con- 
traction and relaxation of the muscles, and 
they might as well imagine that their arms and 
legs are moved, not by material organs, but 
by the direct impulse of spirit, as entertain 
the supposition in question. In short, the 
truly philosophical conclusion is, that, by 
means of consciousness, we are unable to 
discover of what substance the thinking prin- 
ciple is composed. 

Does observation, then, throw a stronger 
and steadier light upon this long-agitated 
question? The mental organs, while in 
health, and in the natural state in which 
their functions are most perfectly performed, 
are completely hid from inspection. No eye 
can penetrate the integuments of the head, 
and the tables of the skull, and the dura 
mater, and the pia mater, to obtain a view 
of the operations performed in the brain, 
while the thoughts run high, and the senti- 
ments swell with emotion; and when exter- 
nal injury or disease removes these cover- 
ings, the mind does not then disport in all 
the vigour of its healthy action. Besides, 



194 MATERIALISM. 

even when all these external obstacles to in- 
spection are removed, still it is only the sur- 
face of the convolutions which is perceived, 
and the soul may be enthroned in the long 
fibres which extend from the surface to the 
medulla oblongata, or thought may be ela- 
borated there, and still evade detection. It 
will be said, however, that death will solve 
the question, and allow the whole secrets of 
the soul to be disclosed; but, alas! when the 
pulse has ceased to beat, and the lungs no 
longer play, the brain presents nothing to 
our contemplation, but an inert mass, of a 
soft and fibrous texture, in which no thought 
can be discerned, and no sentiment can be 
perceived, and in which also no spirit or im- 
material substance can be traced; so that from 
inspecting it even imagination receives no 
food for conjecture, as to the presence or ab- 
sence of an immaterial guest, while life and 
health yet animated its folds. 

Observation, therefore, reveals as little in 
regard to the substance of the mind as does 
reflection on consciousness; and as no other 
modes of arriving at certain knowledge are 
open to man, the solution of the question ap- 
pears to be placed completely beyond his 



MATERIALISM. 195 

reach. In short, to use an observation of Dr. 
Spurzheim, Nature has given man faculties 
fitted to observe phenomena as they at pre- 
sent exist, and the relations subsisting be- 
tween them, but has denied to him powers 
fitted to discover, as a matter of direct per- 
ception, either the beginning or the end, or 
the essence, of any thing under the sun; and 
we may amuse our imaginations with con- 
jectures, but will never arrive at truth, when 
we stray into these interdicted regions. 

The solution of this question, therefore, is 
not only unimportant, but it is impossible; 
and this leads me to observe, that no idea can 
be more erroneous than that which supposes 
the dignity and future destiny of man as an 
immortal being, to depend, of necessity, on 
the substance of which he is made. 

Let us allow to the materialist, for the 
sake of argument, that the brain is the mind, 
and that medullary matter thinks, — what 
then? If in fact it does so, it must be the 
best possible substance for thinking, just be- 
cause the Creator selected it for the pur- 
pose, and endowed it with this property. In 
this argument the religious constantly forget 
that the same omnipotent hand made the 



196 MATERIALISM. 

brain that created the mind and the univer 
itself, and that, in the dedication of every 
cerebral convolution to its objects, be they 
thinking or any other process, the Divine 
Wisdom is as certainly exercised, as in impres- 
sing motion on the planets, or infusing light 
and heat into the sun. If, therefore, de facto, 
God has made the brain to think, we may 
rest assured that it is exquisitely and perfectly 
adapted for this purpose, and that His objects 
in creating man will not be defeated on account 
of His having chosen a wrong substance out 
of which to constitute the thinking principle. 
But what are His objects in creating man? 
This brings us to the jet of the question at 
once. Mr. Lawrence, it is said, founds no 
moral doctrine on his opinions regarding the 
essence of the mind; but other materialists, 
who make these opinions the foundation of 
atheism, wish us to believe that the best evi- 
dence of the Divine intention in creating the 
human soul, is to be found in discovering the 
substance of which it is made; and they in- 
sinuate, that if it is constituted of a very re- 
fined and dignified material, the conclusion 
necessarily follows, that it is intended for 
magnificent destinies, while, if it is composed 



MATERIALISM. 197 

of a rude and vulgar stuff, it must be intended 
only to crawl on this filthy world. Here, how- 
ever, sense and logic equally fail them; for 
no principle in Philosophy is more certain 
than that ice cannot infer from a knowledge 
of the mere substance of any thing for what 
ends it is fitted. Exhibit to a human being 
every variety of imaginable essence, and if 
you allow him to know no more of its pro- 
perties than he can discover from examining 
its constituent parts, he will be utterly inca- 
pable of telling whether it is calculated to en- 
dure for a day, or last to eternity. The ma- 
terialist, therefore, is not entitled, even from 
the supposed admission that medullary matter 
thinks, to conclude that the human being is 
not immortal and responsible. The true way 
of discovering for what end man has been 
created, is to look to the qualities with 
which he has been endowed, trusting that 
the substance of which he is composed is per- 
fectly suited to the objects of his creation. 
Now, when we inquire into the qualities, we 
find the thinking principle in him to differ, 
not only in degree, but in kind, from that 
of the lower animals. The latter have no fa- 
culty of Justice, to indicate to them that the 
R2 



198 MATERIALISM. 

unrestrained manifestation of Destructiveness 
or Acquisitiveness is wrong; they have no 
sentiment of Veneration to prompt them to 
seek a God whom they may adore; they have 
no faculty of Hope, pointing out futurity as an 
object of ceaseless anxiety and contemplation, 
and leading them to desire a life beyond the 
grave; and, indeed, the convolutions of the 
brain, which in man form the organs of these 
sentiments, do not exist in the lower animals. 
Those organs also, which in man serve to 
manifest the faculties of reflection, are, in the 
lower animals, eminently deficient, and their 
understanding, in exact correspondence with 
this fact, is so limited as to be satisfied with 
little knowledge, and to be insensible to the 
comprehensive design and glories of creation. 
Man, then, being endowed with qualities 
which are denied to the lower creatures, we 
are entitled, by a legitimate exercise of re- 
flection, the subject being beyond the region 
of the external senses, to conclude, on princi- 
ples truly philosophic, that he is designed for 
another and a higher destiny than is to be al- 
lotted to them, whatever be the essence of his 
mind. 



classification. 19n 

On different Classifications and Nu- 
merations of the Organs. 

The organs are arranged and numbered in 
this work, according to the order adopted in 
Dr. Spurzheim's new physiognomical sys- 
tem, published in 1815. The principle of 
that arrangement was, as far as possible, phi- 
losophical. The organs common to man and 
the lower animals came first, beginning with 
the lowest, and ascending. The organs of 
the moral sentiments were next treated of; 
and, lastly, the organs of intellect. The ab- 
rupt transition from the organ of Cautiousness 
to that of Benevolence, arises from the latter 
being found in the brains of the lower ani- 
mals, and belonging to the class common to 
them and man; whereas the convolutions 
which constitute the whole intermediate or- 
gans, or those of the sentiments proper to 
man, viz. Veneration, Hope, Ideality, and 
Conscientiousness, are not found in the 
brutes. This arrangement, however, is not 
represented as perfect; and Dr. Spurzheim, 
in his French works, has altered it, as he 
thinks, for the better. I have preserved the 
old numeration, not on account of its being 



200 CLASSIFICATION 

preferable in itself, but because it will be 
impossible to arrive at a perfect classification, 
until the primitive faculty, or ultimate func- 
tion of all the organs, is definitely ascertain- 
ed. This is not at present the case; and, in 
consequence, every interim arrangement is 
in danger of being overturned by subsequent 
discoveries. 

In the new physiognomical system, for ex- 
ample, Dr. Spurzheim places Wit and Imi- 
tation among the intellectual organs; while, 
in his French works, he considers these fa- 
culties as sentiments, and arranges them ac- 
cordingly. If, however, Mr. Scott's ana- 
lysis of the functions of Wit, stated on pages 
11£ and 113, of this work, be correct, 
which appears highly probable, this organ 
will fall ultimately to be placed among the 
reflecting powers, and then Dr. Spurzheim's 
new arrangement will be more incorrect than 
the old one. By adhering, till the science 
is farther advanced, to a particular order, and 
intimating that it is only temporary, the evil 
of such alterations is avoided, and when a 
change is at last made, it will be permanent. 
There is no difference of opinion among 
Phrenologists in regard to the kind of mani- 
festations which accompany the faculties and 



OF ORGAN'S. 201 

organs set down as established; their differ- 
ences touch only the result of the metaphysi- 
cal analysis of the feelings and intellectual 
powers. 

Dr. Gall appears not to adopt any philoso- 
phical principle in his arrangement of the or- 
gans; but it is proper that his order should 
be known; and it is given below. Mr. De 
Ville of London numbers the organs in the 
Phrenological busts sold by him according to 
Dr. Spurzheim's new classification, and I 
shall add it also. Mr. O'Neil of Edinburgh 
has just published a set of Phrenological busts 
(five in number) intended to elucidate the ap- 
pearance of the head in different ages and 
sexes, and in individuals of opposite natural 
dispositions. One of them is a cast from the 
head of a girl of twelve years of age; another 
from the head of a boy of ten; a third from 
the head of a lady; a fourth from the head of 
a gentleman; and a fifth is a cast of John 
Pallet, executed for the murder of James 
Mumford, and it is given as a specimen of 
the cerebral development of the lower class 
of criminals. In all of these, the organs are 
numbered according to the classification of 
the present work, and their relative sizes are 
marked. 



202 



CLASSIFICATION 



JSfames and Order of the Organs adopted by 
Dr. Gall. 



JVfe. 


French. 


German. 


English Names 

given by 
Dr. Spurzheitn. 


1. 


Instinct de la ge- 
neration. 


Zeugungstrieb. 


Amativeness. 


2. 


Amourdelapro- 
geniture. 


Jungenliebe, 
Kinderliebe. 


Philoprogeni- 
tiveness. 


3. 


Attachement, 
amitie. 




Adhesiveness. 


4. 


Instinct de la d£- 
feiise de soi- 
meme et de sa 
propriete. 


Muth, Raufsinn. 


Combativeness 


5. 


Instinct carnas- 
sier. 


Wurgsinn. 


Destructiveness. 


6. 


Ruse, finesse, sa- 
voir-faire. 


List, Schlauheit, 
Klugheit. 


Secretiveness. 


7. 


Sentiment de la 
propriete. 


Eigenthumsinn. 


Acquisitiveness. 


8. 


Orgueil, fierte, 
hauteur. 


Stolz, Hoch- 
muth, Hersch- 
sucht. 


Self-Esteem. 


9. 


Vanity, ambi- 
tion, amour dc 
la gloire. 


Eitelkeit, 

Ruhmsucht, 

Ehrgeitz. 


Love of Appro- 
bation. 



OF ORG 



203 



» 






English JWimts 




French. 


German. 


given by 


10. 






Dr. Spurzhrim. 


Circonspection, 


Behutsamkeit, 


Cautiousness. 




prevoyance. 


Vorsicht, Vor- 
sichtigkeit. 




11. 


Memoire des 


Sachgedoecht- 


Individuality. 




choses, me- 


niss, Krzie- 






moire des 


hungs-Foe- 






fiuts, sens des 


higkeit. 






choses, educa- 








bilite, perfec- 








tibilite. 






12. 


Sens des locali- 


Ortsinn, Raum- 


Locality. 




tes, sens des 


sinn. 






rapports de 








Fespace. 






13. 


Memoire des 
personnes, 
sens des per- 
sonnes. 


Fersonen-sinn. 


Form. 


14. 


Sens des mots, 


Wort-Gedoech- 


Language. 




sens des noms, 


niss. 






memoire des 








mots,memoire 








verbale. 






15. 


Sensdelangage, 


Sprach-For- 


Held by Dr. 




de parole, ta- 


schungs-sinn. 


Spurzheix to 




lent de la phi- 




be included in 




lologie, &c. 




the last organ. 


16. 


Sens des rap- 
ports des cou- 
leurs, talent 
delapeinture. 


Farben-sinn. 


Colouring. 


17. 


Sens des rap- 
ports des tons, 
talent de la 
musique. 


Ton-sinn. 


Tune. 



204 



CLASSIFICATION 



No. 
18. 
19. 


French, 


German, 


English Names 

given by 
Dr. Spurzheim. 


Sens des rap- 
ports desn om- 
bres. 

Sens de mecha- 


Kunst-sinn, Bau- 


Number. 
Constructive- 




nique, sens de 
construction, 
talent de i'ar- 
chitecture. 


sinn. 


ness. 


20. 


Sagacite compa- 
rative. 


Vergleichender 
scharfsinn. 


Comparison. 


21. 


Esprit metaphy- 
sique, profon- 
deur d'esprit. 


Metaphysischer- 
Tiefsinn. 


Causality. 


22. 
23. 


Esprit caus- 
tique, esprit 
de saillie. 

Talentpoetique. 


Witz. 
Dichter-Geist. 


Wit. 

Ideality. 


24. 

25. 


Bonte, bienveil- 
lance, dou- 
ceur, compas- 
sion, &c. 

Faculte d'imiter, 
mimique. 


Gutmoethigkeit, 
Mitleiden, &c. 


Benevolence, 
[mitation. 


26. 


Sentiment reli- 
gieux. 




Veneration. 


2r. 


Fermete, con- 
stance, perse- 
verance. 




Firmness. 



Dr. Gall marks as unascertained several organs ad* 
mitted by other phrenologists. 









JYa??ies and Orders of the Organs accord- 
ing to Dr. Spurzheim's Classification in 
his u Observations sur la Phr&nologie" 



Order I.— FEELINGS. 



Genus I. — Propensities. 



I. Amative ness. 

T. Philoprogenitiveness. 

.liabitiveness. 
4. Adhesiveness. 
-5. Combativeness. 



6. D est ruc'J veil ess. 

7. Constructivenes? 

8. Acquisitiveness. 

9. Secretivenes^. 



Genus II. — Sentixents. 

10. Self-Esteem. 16. Conscientiousness. 

11. Love of^pprobation. 17. Hope. 

12. Cautiousness. 18. Sumaturalite (TVc 

13. Benevolence. 19. Wit. 

14. Veneration. 20. Ideality. 

15. Firmness. 21. Imitation. 



Order 11.— INTELLECTUAL FACULTIES, 
Genus I. — External Senses. 



Touch. 
Taste. 
Smell. 



Hearing. 
Sight. 



206 



CLASSIFICATION 



Genus II. — Perceptive Faculties. 



22. Individuality (Lower 

Individuality). 

23. Form. 

24. Size. 

25. Weight. 

26. Colouring. 

27. Locality. 



28. Number. 

29. Order. 

30. Phenomenes (Upper 

Individuality). 

31. Time. 

32. Tune. 

33. Language. 



Genus III. — Reflective Faculties. 
34. Comparison. 35. Causality. 



%irrangemeni contained in Dr. Spurzheim's 
" Essai Philosophique" {He omits the 
numbers in this work; I add them in the 
order in which the Organs stand.) 

Order I.— FEELINGS (Faculles effectives). 

Genus I. — Feelings common to the lower Animals 
and Man. 

7. Constructiveness. 

8. Acquisitiveness. 

9. Secretiveness. 
10. Cautiousness. 



1. Amativeness. 

2. Philoprogenitiveness. 

3. Inhabitiveness. 

4. Adhesiveness. 

5. Combativeness. 

6. Destructiveness. 



11. Love of Approbation, 

12. Self-Esteem. 



OF ORGANS. 207 

Genus IT. — Feelings proper to Man. 

13. Benevolence. * 18. Feeling of the Marvellous. 

14. Veneration. 19. Ideality. 

15. Firmness. 20. Sense of the Ludicrous. 

16. Conscientiousness. 21. Imitation. 

17. Hope. 



Order II.— INTELLECTUAL FACULTIES. 
Genus I. — External Senses. 

Touch. Hearing. 

Taste. Sight. 

Smell. 

Genus II. — Internal Senses, which give a Knowledge 
of External Objects, and their Qualities. 

22. Individuality. 25. Consistence and Weight 

23. Size. (^probable). 

24. Form. 26. Colour. 

Genus III. — Internal Senses, which give a Knowledge 
of the Relations of Objects. 

27. Locality. 31. Time. 

28. Number. 32. Tune. 

29. Order. 33. Language. 

30. Phenomena (Higher 

Individuality). 

Genus IV. — Reflecting Faculties. 
34. Comparison. 35. Causality. 



208 description or the callipers 

Description of the Callipers and Cra- 
niometer. 

Figure 1st represents a pair of Callipers. 
The numerals on the scale indicate the width 
from point to point, when they are open. 
They are useful for ascertaining the general 
size of the head as mentioned in p. 148. 
The legs are made to unscrew at A A, and fit- 
ted with hinges at BB, and the instrument 
can then be put into a small case, and carried 
in the pocket. The ball C is for inserting 
into the orifice of the ear, in taking mea- 
surements from it to different points of the 
head. 

Figure 2d, represents a Craniometer in- 
vented by Mr. Robert Ellis and Mr. Wil- 
liam Gray, and approved of, in its present 
form, by the Phrenological Society. The 
object of it is to measure the length from the 
medulla oblongata, or top of the spinal mar- 
row, where each organ originates, to the 
point where it reaches the surface of the 
brain. The rods BB are moveable, and the 
balls (made of ivory or brass,) on the inner 
ends of them, go into the external openings 
of the ear. The point A is the middle of the 



AND CRANIOMETER. 209 

axis which would be formed by the prolonga- 
tion of these rods; and it coincides, not ex- 
actly, but pretty nearly, with the middle of 
the medulla oblongata. The rods must be 
inserted to equal depths into the ears, other- 
wise the centre A would not coincide with 
the middle of the axis in the head. The rods 
are graduated, to secure accuracy in this re- 
spect. C, C, C, is an exact semicircle, (made 
of steel, or double plates of tin) of which A 
is the centre. DE is an index, intended to 
measure distances from A. To construct it 
accurately, make the end D touch A, and the 
other end coincide with every part of the cir- 
cumference of the semicircle. When drawn 
out, the end E rises as far above the circum- 
ference as the end D recedes from the point 
A. The index is graduated, beginning at 
the top, and the lengths are read off as they 
appear on the projecting part. 

Figure 3d, represents the craniometer ap- 
plied. The semicircle moves backwards and 
forwards on the axis B, B, and the index may 
be moved from right to left along the circum- 
ference. To keep the index always pointing 
to A, it is made to slide in a piece of wood, 
F, Figure 4., the sides of the groove of which 
s2 



210 DESCRIPTION, &C. 

form a segment of a circle, coinciding with, 
and applied to, the circumference of the semi- 
circle. 

This instrument measures only the length 
of the organs. Their breadth is judged of by 
their expansion at the surface; and the two 
dimensions give their absolute size. 

Mr. Henry Thompson has favoured me 
with a drawing and relative explanation, cal- 
culated to represent the effects of a number 
of the most frequent combinations in size in 
a tabular form; but the limits of this work 
prevent me laying it before the Public. 






NOTES. 



Note A — p. 11. 

The statement in the text is strictly correct, only 
when applied to the different parts of the nervous sys- 
tem. The functions of various organs of the body, can 
be fairly ascertained and demonstrated by dissection, 
when employed with the lights of which we are at pre- 
sent possessed. Such are the heart, the arteries, the 
eye, the ear, &c. But, on the other hand, and this is 
the true bearing of our author's reasoning, the dissec- 
tion of no part of the nervous system, including the 
brain, has ever exhibited its function. All is here entire 
darkness and doubt; until elucidated by external ob- 
servation and experiment. As this is an argument which 
has been frequently employed by our author, it is im- 
portant to have a correct understanding of it. 



Note B — p. 16. 
Of the Unknown Parts of the Brain. 
Hunger and thirst, and the impressions of heat and 
cold, equally with sight and hearing, are but sensa- 
tions; and are situated in those parts of the body where 



212 NOTES. 

they are felt or perceived. Hence we have still the 
less reason to presume upon the allotment of organs 
given to them in the text. It is there correctly stated 
as purely conjectural. The lower and posterior portion 
of the brain, will be included within the large organs of 
Combativeness and Love of Offspring; and wiil, of 
course, be subject to all the observations made relative 
to the volume of these last. If the deeper portion be 
really any separate organ, the only mode in which its 
size can be ascertained, is by its protruding the whole 
hind-head upwards; an effect liable to be confused 
with great bulk of the upper organs of that part. We 
know of no way in which these two conditions can be 
distinguished, but by comparing this dimension with the 
length of the latter organs measured from the centre of 
the brain, as with the craniometer. 

The parts situated on the inner and adjoining sides of 
the two hemispheres of the brain are included in the 
narrow and longitudinal organs marked immediately 
over them on the skull, and the space which they fill be- 
comes very small at all points anterior to Concentrative- 
ness, and does not afford room for divisions at all compa- 
rable in size with those adjacent. Should any inde- 
pendent organ exist in the space immediately anterior 
to Philoprogenitiveness, and between the two posterior 
lobes of the brain, the difficulty of judging of its size 
would be great. It would increase the width of the 
head, at Combativeness and Adhesiveness. The length 
of these latter from the centre of the brain might then 
be ascertained by the craniometer, and compared with 
their lateral divergency, in order to judge of the exist- 
ence of any uncommon separation or approximation of 
the two hemispheres on that part. 



N'O'i 213 

1 'tic middle lobes of the bruin, the part chiefly alluded to 
in the text, are a true terra incognita. We have inquired 
into the means of examining the posterior lobes; and 
the anterior lobes are immediately over the eyes, and 
form, (at least the anterior part of them,) Spurzheim's 
organ of Language. But the space between those of 
Destructiveness and Constructiveness, below Acquisi- 
tiveness, and extending from that to the medullary parts 
in the middle line of the base of the brain, are apparent- 
ly absolutely incapable of even a tolerable estimate as 
to size. They are effectually concealed from inspection 
by the bony and muscular parts employed in moving 
the lower jaw, and can only be examined after death. 
They form, perhaps, about one-fifteenth of the surface of 
the brain. 



Note C— p. 17. 

Of the Variations in the Thickness of the Skull. 
The absurdity of supposing that an organ of uncon: 
mon size can be concealed within the thickness of the 
skull, is obvious from the text; and will be confirmed 
by a reference to the table in p. 148. There is however 
one source of error to which our author has not advert- 
ed: — the extreme variation of thickness in the portion 
of skull covering Philoprogenitiveness. This extends 
to J.ths of an inch in different heads; and the additional 
thickness which this implies to exist appears to be a 
provision of nature against falls, and to protect the brain 
from injury or concussion in lying upon the back. It 
is, however, exceeded by the difference of size of 
>b{ marked organ?. 



214 NOTES. 

The skull is thinnest at Constructiveness, Acquisitive, 
ness, the lower part of Ideality and the upper part 
of the terra incognita of which we have spoken. 

The natural projections at the middle of Cautiousness, 
and the inner part of Wit, or Sense of Ludicrous, are 
rentres of ossification, and must be borne in mind, not to 
be confused with unusual size of the organ. With these 
remarks, in addition to those in the text, we believe that 
comparisons between different heads may be made with 
great accuracy. 



Note D— p. 23. 

It must be borne in mind that it is impossible to re- 
move the cerebellum or corpus striatum of an animal 
without inflicting injury on either the medulla oblongata, 
or the fibres of connexion which longitudinally continue 
it. It is to be presumed that loss of blood, as well as 
concussion or compression must be produced on these 
parts in eitherof the above experiments. Of consequence, 
as the medulla oblongata is the means of connexion be- 
tween the brain and the nerves and muscles of voluntary 
motion, it is natural to suppose, that derangements 
would under these circumstances, take place in the 
performance of that last function. Hence, according to 
Mr. Flourens, the animals reeled, staggered, and fell; 
preserving the appearance of voiuntarity, but resem- 
bling a drunken man incapable of executing the volun- 
tary motion he designed, for want of a more perfect 
command of the necessary organs. 

The results obtained by M. Magendie are not under- 
stood, as the true offices of most of the fibres of the me- 






I I.S. 

dulla oblongata are still unknown. They do not prove, 
however, as is clearly shown by the above observations, 
that the power of regulating-, or rather of transmitting 
the volition of muscular motion, lies in the parts which 
were removed; as it is left highly probable that this 
power may reside in the fibres of the medulla which run 
in the vicinity, and must inevitably be weakened and 
disordered in the operation. They do not therefore at 
all clash with the positive evidence derived from other 
sources, that the functions of the cerebellum and the cor- 
pora striata are really different. 

The still later experiments of M. Bellingeri differ from 
those of Manendi e. 



Note E— p. 32. 

The writer of these notes has often felt surprise, 
that the inconsequence of this statement should never 
have struck either Dr. Spurzheim, or the author of these 
" Elements." 

In the account in the text, and in the part of the work 
referred to, there is a manifest confusion of two very 
distinct propositions; the one relating to the quantity of 
brain behind & certain line, and the other, to that which 
is situated above it. Now the iatter proposition, as it is 
stated, involves an absurdity; for if we trace a line ver- 
tically from the orifice of the ear, so as to separate the 
portions situated before and behind it, how can any por- 
tion be situated above it? The organ of Destructiveness 
is situated above the orifice of the ear; and this organ, 
by examination of numerous individuals of the tribe of 
mammalia, we have always found strongly marked in 
carnivorous quadrupeds, and not at all so, in animals of 



216 NOTES. 

other habits. The common cat, exemplifies this organ 
in a very striking" degree ; and we have found it in dogs, 
foxes, wolves, the tiger, and the tiger-cat, of Bengal. 
In various herbivorous animals, examined, no such form 
was discoverable. A terrier had secretiveness, and a 
lap-dog, cautiousness indicated ; but both had the organ 
in question. 

With regard to the relative amount of brain behind 
the line alluded to, we believe that both our learned au- 
thors are mistaken. Were this position correct, it would 
not prove the predominance of an organ of Destructive- 
ness, but of those of Philoprogenitiveness, Combative- 
ness, Adhesiveness, Concentrativeness, &c, which are 
situated posterior to that line. Now, these are not the 
general and common characters for which we look in 
carnivorous animals. The fact is, that, of all the ani- 
mals we have examined, man is that one which possesses 
the largest mass of brain, posterior to the vertical line 
mentioned above ; and it corresponds extremely well to 
the great amount of the above passions, with which he 
is known to be affected. Next to man are the four- 
handed animals ; and some monkeys are remarkable for 
the size of their organs of Philoprogenitiveness. The 
carnivora follow, among others, and at a great distance. 

Among many of the animals farther removed from 
man, nearly, or quite the whole brain, lies anterior to 
the ears. In these tribes, however, the light of analogy, 
always dubious among the inferior animals, fails, perhaps, 
entirely. The difficulties of judging are always great, 
owing to our not being able to determine what organs 
are omitted, and being thence liable to mistake one for 
the other : but when we proceed further, the convolu- 
tions are left out, the contents of the skull degenerate 
into a string of gangliform knots, the nervous system is 



. ' NOTES. 217 

arranged upoil different principles, and we are left alto- 
gether in the dark. 



Note F— p. 38. 

In this point we must be allowed to differ from oiu 
author. The power of comprehending mechanics is 
produced by Form, Size, Weight, Order, Number, and 
Causality. Constructiveness is only the propensity to 
this particular employment of faculties which are also 
suited for other purposes. We have been led to this 
distinction by observation. 



The references to the following notes, were, 
by an oversight, omitted; and the error disco- 
vered too late to be corrected. We have pre- 
ferred, however, inserting them here, with refe- 
rences to the pages, on which they comment. 



Page 65 — Article Ideality. 
We have met with erroneous impressions among the 
curious, from the use of the word Ideality. As it is the 
ideal beauty of objects which this sense perceives, and 
not the fact that they are ideal, we should prefer a term 
'which expressed it ; and propose to call it the sense of 
ideal beauty , after Dr. Spurzheim. 



2 IS .NOTES, 



Page 81 — Sight. 

We conceive it fully proved, from a variety of expe- 
riments and observations, that the accuracy of our eye- 
sight, is, to a great extent, the result of education, and 
of comparison with the other senses. We shall not, 
however, here enter into a discussion of it; as it maybe 
found fully explained in works on physiology. We 
would, however, remark, that the internal senses are as 
intimately connected with the operations of the mind, 
and form as properly a part of phrenology as the exter- 
nal ones. We enumerate as internal senses, hunger, 
thirst, the sensation which prompts respiration, and 
several other feelings which exist by the course of 
nature, in a state of health. We have no desire, how- 
ever, to enlarge upon them; and, indeed, we think 
the whole subject of the senses were as well omitted; 
at least as a separate section. They are, unquestion- 
ably, comprised within the legitimate bounds of the sci- 
ence ; but they are so frequently treated of in other 
works, that it is hardly necessary to include them in a 
work written to facilitate a new course of scientific in- 
quiry. 



Page 96 — Mathematics. 

We do not think our author clear with regard to the 
faculties which give a genius for mathematics. These 
are pre-eminently reasoning sciences ; and, of course, 
causality will be the function most frequently called into 
action. The process of reasoning is more constantly 
employed and kept on the stretch, in these sciences 



NO I 

in political economy, metaphysics, or any other 
parsuit. In the latter, the propositions are far apart, 
and surrounded with copious illustration ; — the former 
consist of pure reasoning alone. After causality, comes 
order; in geometry, form and mm; in arithmetic and 
some parts of the higher branches, number. Concentra- 
!iveness, if the faculty be acknowledged, is highly im- 
portant ; but with individuality the mathematics have 
little to do. To us they appear to require its absolute 
quiescence. Comparison may occasionally find some 
employment ; but it is a faculty peculiarly dangerous in 
these stricter sciences. Locality is occasionally exer- 
cised. 

We are thus particular, from reflecting on the parti- 
cular importance of an erroneous application of phreno- 
logy to nature. 

Zerah Colburn was a native of Vermont, and the same 
who was exhibited in several of the Atlantic cities of the 
United States, previous to his going to England. 

Page 99 — Organ of tune in the heads of birds. 

There is great difficulty in examining birds; from the 
different arrangement of their brain from that of our 
own species. The large protuberance which appears 
to form the lateral parts of the forehead, is, in reality, 
the whole of the hemisphere; — a congeries of all their 
phrenological organs, except that of Amativeness. 

Page 106 — line 20 — Comparison. 

We should have said "Tune may apprehend different 
notes, and colour different shades; but Comparison may 



220 NOTES. 

compare not only a note wittr*a note, and a shade with 
a shade, but a note with a shade — a form with a colour ; 
which the other faculties by themselves could not ac- 
complish/' — Comparison appears to act principally upon 
complex ideas, in association with Individuality and 
Causality. 



Page 121— Wit. 

Wit is a term of so ambiguous use in the English lan- 
guage, that we have often felt surprise that it was em- 
ployed by phrenologists. The term " Sense of the Lu- 
dicrous/' would have exactly expressed the simple idea 
meant to be conveyed, and would have avoided any 
" difficulty" in the definition. 



Page 131 — Of Wile, and of Fatalism. 

Our author but slightly alludes to the subject of Will; 
and this is of some importance, as the accusation of lead- 
ing to Fatalism has been so frequently made against 
phrenology. According to our author, it is "constituted 
by the knowing and reflecting faculties." According 
to Dr. Spurzheim, Will arises from these latter faculties 
combined with the sentiments. It may as fairly be at- 
tributed to all the faculties. 

To our mind, phrenology leaves the question of Fa- 
talism, as it does that of Materialism, precisely where it 
was before. Men grant that their characters are diffe- 
rent; and universally undertake to judge what will be 
the conduct of any given acquaintance in any given fa* 



NOTES. ^21 

miliar circumstances. — " He cannot but choose to do it :" 
M It is impossible for a man of his character to act other- 
wise :" are phrases of frequent application. Yet, at the 
same time, those who use this language, both assume to 
themselves, and concede to others, an entire liberty of 
choice. They are compelled to acknowledge this, for 
they are internally conscious of its truth. I am free to 
choose in actions, what part I please ; but -what I shall 
please is a compound problem, depending for its solu- 
tion, in part, on the natural disposition which it is proved 
I possess, and partly upon various other causes, which 
man, at least the author of this note, can neither enume- 
rate nor comprehend — It appears to him that this forms 
one of the innumerable instances in which we encoun- 
ter the boundaries of human understanding. 



FINIS. 



E. LITTELL, 

88 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. 

HAS FOR SALE, 

THE MODEL HEAD, marked with the organs, 
and accompanied with an explanatory pamphlet 
This is a neatly executed bust of a young girl, 
and forms a handsome ornament for a room. It 
was republished by a committee of the Phila- 
delphia society, from one sent them by the 
Edinburgh society. — Price S2.50. 

ESSAY ON PHRENOLOGY; by Geo. Combe, 
President of the Phrenological Society of Edin- 
burgh — with two Plates. 

OUTLINES OF PHRENOLOGY,— with a 

Plate. 

ELEMENTS OF PHRENOLOGY,— (being this 
work) — Price 75 cents. 



Mr. George Schively, No. 75, Chesnut Street, nearly 
opposite E. Littell, makes and sells Callipers and Ciu- 
yioMETERs, of the most approved construction. 



PHKENXXLOGICAI. ORGAN'S 



I. Propensities. 


1. AnuMvcness 


2 . Fhiloprofenita eness 


,'i Ct'//,t-/ifnihvc7l<:r.v 


4. jidTiesiveness 


.'). CombatCeOlCSS 


6. JJcstructiarcness 


J. ConstructcveTiejfs 


8. jicarasitivcness 


<J. Secretireness 


TL. Sentiments. 


10. Sea" esteem 


22. Zinr of approbation 


Ti. Cautiousness 


13. Brnrvc/riir,- 


74. Vairrafion 


l.~>. H,r/>e 


10 Ideality 


Wonder 


If. Conscientiousness 


IS. Firmness 


ULIntellect. 


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20. Form 


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22 Weyht 


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24. locality 


2.') . Order 


26 T,m<- 


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